parliament 19 August 2026 Parliament of Uganda
COSASE Halts Civil Aviation Probe as Director General's Absence Raises Questions
Parliament's Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE) has halted its investigation into the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) due to the absence of the substantive Director General. The committee questioned the legitimacy of the Deputy Director General representing her absent boss and announced plans for an on-site inspection. Source: https://www.parliament.go.ug/news/4566/cosase-halts-civil-aviation-probe-over-director-generals-absence
The House Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE) has suspended its inquiry into the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA). The decision came after concerns were raised regarding the authority of the Deputy Director General, Olive Birungi Lumonya, to represent the substantive Director General, who is currently on medical leave.
COSASE, led by Chairperson Hon. Muwada Nkunyingi, had summoned UCAA officials to address findings from the Auditor General’s report for the financial year ending June 30, 2025. Additionally, a presidential directive from July 17, 2026, ordering the immediate retirement of several senior UCAA staff due to alleged corruption and mismanagement, was also under scrutiny.
The presidential letter, addressed to the Minister of Works and Transport, highlighted issues such as delayed road projects, non-functional scanners at Entebbe International Airport, and inflated costs for AFCON-related roads.
Lumonya, who has been acting Director General for 33 days, presented herself to the committee. However, committee members questioned her authority to act as Accounting Officer in the absence of formal delegation instruments from the substantive Director General. Concerns were voiced about the capacity of acting officials to provide adequate responses to the committee’s queries.
Despite these challenges, Lumonya confirmed that all affected staff had completed their handover of assets and that the UCAA Board had been informed of the presidential directive.
In light of the unresolved issues surrounding representation and authority, COSASE has scheduled an on-site inspection of UCAA facilities in Entebbe for Thursday, August 20, 2026.