COSASE halts UCCA probe over Director General’s absence
KAMPALA, August 20, 2026 – Parliament’s Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises [COSASE] has declined to allow Olive Birungi Lumonya, the Deputy Director General of the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority [UCAA], to represent her boss, and has resolved to conduct an on-site inspection of the authority’s facilities in Entebbe as it continues its investigations into allegations of corruption and mismanagement.
The committee, chaired by Muwada Nkunyingi, had summoned UCAA officials to respond to queries arising from the Auditor General’s Report for the financial year ended June 30, 2025, as well as a recent presidential directive dated July 17, 2026, which ordered the immediate retirement of several senior staff members “in the public interest”.
President Yoweri Museveni’s letter, addressed to the Minister of Works and Transport, detailed what it described as rampant corruption at the Ministry of Works and Transport and the UCAA. It cited delayed road projects, non-functioning scanners at Entebbe International Airport and alleged attempts to inflate the cost of roads being constructed ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations [AFCON].
The President directed the affected officers to immediately hand over their offices and vacate their positions.
With the substantive Director General, Fred K. Bamwesigye, away on health grounds, Lumonya led the UCAA delegation before the committee on Wednesday.
“I have been acting Director General for this position now for 33 days,” she told the committee.
Nkunyingi immediately directed her to produce the instruments appointing her to the acting position so that legislators could establish the legitimacy of her authority.
Committee members also raised concerns about the capacity of the officials present to respond to the queries. MP Bumali Mpindi suggested that the sitting be halted until the legal status of officials serving in acting capacities was clarified.
Richard Senteza, the Member of Parliament for Lugazi Municipality, argued that Lumonya could not properly serve as Accounting Officer while a substantive Director General remained in office, even if temporarily absent, unless the powers had been formally delegated to her in writing.
“As of now, the MD is in office, save for health reasons. He has stepped out; she is not the Accounting Officer,” he said.
Lumonya told the committee that all the affected individuals had completed the handover of government property and assets, and that she had informed the UCAA Board of Directors, chaired by Justice Emeritus Steven Kavuma, about the presidential directive.
The committee is scheduled to visit UCAA facilities in Entebbe on Thursday as it continues its investigations.
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