Parliament Demands Academic Records of 13 UCAA Top Managers Amid Forgery Scandal

The Committee on Physical Infrastructure has escalated its scrutiny of the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) by demanding the academic credentials of 13 top managers. This move comes in the wake of a significant scandal where 89 UCAA employees were dismissed for submitting fraudulent academic qualifications to secure their positions.

During a parliamentary meeting, committee members, led by Hon. Mwine Mpaka, questioned UCAA officials about the fate of employees implicated in using forged documents, including falsified O-Level results. Olive Lumonya, the Deputy Director General, confirmed that investigations verified forgeries, leading to the dismissal of 89 individuals without terminal benefits.

The committee expressed concern about the potential for unqualified individuals to have been hired, leading to financial losses. “If you had 89 people who entered the institution using forged documents, yet many qualified Ugandans remain unemployed, how are we sure that all of you in top management are qualified?” Hon. Mpaka queried.

Members also highlighted the severe risks associated with employing unqualified personnel in an organization responsible for national aviation safety. The committee emphasized that such lapses could expose the country to significant dangers. In response to these concerns, UCAA was given a single day to provide the detailed academic qualifications and recruitment records for the 13 senior management staff, including any verification reports.

In a related financial matter, UCAA officials informed the committee that the authority is owed over Shs233 billion by the government and Uganda Airlines for various services rendered at Entebbe International Airport, highlighting ongoing financial challenges alongside personnel integrity issues.

Source: Parliament of Uganda