For two days now, Uganda Airlines Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Jennifer Bamuturaki Musiime and other officials at the national carrier have not turned up for questioning before Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee on Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (PAC – Cosase) for further questioning.
Shocking revelations emerged out of Cosase when CEO Bamuturaki and her colleagues from Uganda Airlines appeared before the committee whose chairperson is Nakawa West MP and opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) spokesperson Joel Ssenyonyi.
Now, state minister for transport Fred Byamukama has written to Cosase chairperson Ssenyonyi informing him that Bamuturaki and her colleagues will not be available for further questioning very soon.
In a letter written to Ssenyonyi on August 24 — in response to the Cosase boss’ summons dated August 19 — Minister Byamukama advised the committee chairperson to “reschedule the meeting between committee and national airline top officials.”
The minister, who is also the Member of Parliament representing the people of Bugangaizi West, saluted Ssenyonyi for following up on the Auditor General’s report. He went on to note that while there would be no problem with having Bamuturaki and her colleagues undergo interrogation before Cosase, the Uganda Airlines bosses are busy with more important issues such as working on the new routes.
“Reference is made to the invitation dated 19″ August, 2022, with Ref: AB70/288/01 inviting for a meeting with Uganda Airlines Top Managers. I wish to extend my sincere thanks for the good work you are doing to this country and in particular the Auditor General’s report by ensuring public resources are properly accounted for,” wrote Minister Byamukama.
“However, due to a number of events happening now at the Airline and some in advanced
stages i.e. finalizing different route charts that include Guangzhou- China, Entebbe –
London, Entebbe – Mumbai there’s need for ample time for the officials to prepare if they
are to produce good work to avoid further loss occurrence.”
The transport minister has now proposed the days after September 11 for the meeting between Cosase and Uganda Airlines officials.
“In this [vein] Hon. Chairperson, | wish to inform you that my Top Management will be available for any further engagement after 11th September, 2022. Please note, all these endavours are aimed at ensuring our young Airline flourishes without unnecessary interferences. | will be grateful for your usual cooperation,” added Byamukama.
When CEO Bamuturaki appeared before Ssenyonyi’s Cosase last week, she made shocking revelations, including how Museveni gave her a job she had not applied for; as well as how she does not have O-level papers and has never picked her SWASA transcript from Makerere University. (Read Stories Here and There).
A number of pro-government officials and supporters have been defending Bamuturaki. These include a Museveni Minister who reportedly called Ssenyonyi telling him to back off Bamuturaki or wait for trouble, as well as Tooro MPs who have called on the Cosase boss to leave their daughter alone. (Read Stories Here and There).
