The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has told parliament’s committee on commissions, state agencies and statutory enterprises that the aircraft that was used by the NRM campaign task force, flown by Capt. Mike Mukula, was not up to standard and posed a threat to Ugandans.
The Director Technical services and Compliance CAA Samuel Muneza told the committee on Thursday that after they audited the air-worthiness of the aircraft, they advised the presidential security not to allow President Yoweri Museveni use it.
Muneza’s revelation came as committee member Elijah Okupa delved into the recent standoff between the authority and Mukula request to get an air transport licence.
Muneza added that Mukula had also failed to furnish the authority with documentation pertaining to ownership of his aircraft and the memorandum of understanding he has with Soroti Flying School.
“This company and helicopter could not be granted a 12 month certificate of air worthiness and we quietly shared our concerns with Special Forces Command (SFC). Mukula’s aircraft was dangerous to the president,” Muneeza told the committee.
“You can imagine someone who wants to engage in real serious air transport business bringing in a single engine 4-seater aircraft and he says he is ready to start regional and international business. ”
Mukula, who has accused the CAA of incompetence, was not available during the committee proceedings and the chairperson Bugweri MP Abdu Katuntu said that the matter will be forwarded to the committee on physical infrastructure where both parties will be able to exhaustively submit on the matter.
“We are now referring this matter to the policy committee and that is the parliament committee on physical infrastructure chaired by Rubanda West Dennis Sabiiti to go into the details of this bickering,” Katuntu said.
