The House Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE) has declined to allow Olive Birungi Lumonya, the Deputy Director General of Uganda Civil Aviation Authority to represent her boss and resolved to conduct an on-site inspection of the authority’s facilities in Entebbe as it continues with its investigations into allegations of corruption and mismanagement.
The Committee chaired by Hon. Muwada Nkunyingi, had summoned UCAA officials to answer questions arising from the Auditor General’s Report for the financial year ended 30 June 2025 together with a recent Presidential directive dated 17 July 2026 that ordered the immediate retirement of several senior staff “in the public interest.”
The Presidents letter, addressed to Works and Transport Minister detailed rampant corruption at the Ministry of Works and Transport and the UCAA citing delayed road projects, non-functioning scanners at Entebbe International Airport, and alleged attempts to inflate the cost of AFCON-related roads.
He directed the officers to immediately handover office and vacate office immediately.
With the substantive Director General away on health grounds, Lumonya stepped in to lead the UCAA delegation before the House Committee sitting on Wednesday, 19 August 2026.
She said, “I have been acting Director General for this position now for 33 days.”
Hon. Nkunyingi immediately directed her to produce her appointment instruments for legislators to confirm the legitimacy of her acting authority.
Committee members raised concerns about the capacity of the officials present to answer to queries, with Hon. Bumali Mpindi (Ind., PWDs) suggesting that the meeting be halted until the legal status of those appearing in acting roles is clarified.
Hon. Richard Senteza (Ind., Lugazi Municipality) argued that Lumonya could not properly serve as Accounting Officer while a substantive Director General remained in the post, even if temporarily absent, unless powers had been formally delegated 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 properties and assets, and that she had informed the UCAA Board of Directors, chaired by Justice (Emeritus) Steven Kavuma, of the directive.
The committee is scheduled to visit the UCAA facilities in Entebbe tomorrow, Thursday, 20 August 2026.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Parliament of the Republic of Uganda.
