KAMPALA– Civil Aviation Authority’s (CAA) Director-General with his team was interrogated by the Parliamentary Committee on Commissions Statutory and State Enterprises (COSASE) yesterday on June 20, regarding the contents in the private cargo plane.
It is suspected that the plane was carrying printed Ugandan currency, an allegation that has since been denied by government spokesperson Ofwono Opondo, who instead claims the plane contained medical equipment.
“The civil aviation authority ensures the security of passengers and cargo landing in and leaving the airport. The Bank of Uganda cargo plane was a special operation,” CAA’s Director General revealed.
The CAA Director-General refuted these allegations and has consistently denied knowledge of the contents in the special Cargo plane that landed in recently with currency notes for Bank of Uganda.
Muhammad Nsereko a member of parliament for Kampala Central who also doubles as a member of the COSASE insisted and tasked the Director-General to explain CAA’s role in the currency saga.
The Director-General also received a lot of criticism from the committee members who criticised CAA as shying away from responsibility.
In response, the Director of Security in the Civil Aviation Authority stated as follows,
“We received a request from a Kenyan company called Astro Aviation services to land in cargo for Bank of Uganda,” he affirmed
He also admitted that the type of cargo indicated was printed material but was not sure if it was indeed money (Ugandan Currency).
Printing currency without parliamentary consent is illegal and that is why the parliamentary committee on Statutory And State enterprises is probing into the alleged BoU’s illegal printing of currency.
Hon. Nsereko reassured the Director General of the aviation authority who was emotionally afflicted, stating that the probe was not to indict him but to gather information from them that would help in solving the BoU currency probe.
The committee has also questioned the authority officials concerning their participation in the extension of the Entebbe International Airport.
It has not yet been formally established whether the cargo plane contained printed Ugandan currency of medical equipment as some sources allege. Investigations are still underway.
Compiled by ERIC EMLYN OKOTH