HE CARETH FOR YOU: WHERE IS THE TRANSPARENCY IN DEVELOPMENTS TO DO WITH UGANDA AIRLINES?

The way the NRM Government handles official Government business is most unfortunate.

Not long ago, we were told that VULE Airways a privately owned Ugandan registered airline, whose objective was to fill the vacuum in the Ugandan air transport sector created by lack of a national airline that serves both domestic and international passenger and cargo services.

We now hear that Uganda Airlines has signed shs 700bn firm order for 4 Bombardier CRJ900 Aircraft.

With the experience of the number of airlines Uganda Government has been in partnership with since the collapse of Uganda Airlines, the evolution of a new airline should not be a gamble.

We are aware that the Government has clear financial obligations to meet. Under such circumstances, how can we expect a viable, efficient and safe airline to be operated?

There is no involvement we hear from the Parliament. It is not clear where these deals are made, a situation which not only gives corruption chance, but also possible loss of tax payer resources through half-baked-deals.

The airline we are not sure whether it will recover routes that were given to other operators. What about the ground handling services?

The revival of Uganda Airlines should be openly debated. There is no reason why there should be political dominance on its evolution as other Government players are left out.

UGANDA AIRLINES SIGNS SHS 700BN FIRM ORDER FOR 4 BOMBARDIER CRJ900 AIRCRAFT

By Sam Waswa.

Canadian based plane manufactures Bombardier Commercial Aircraft announced Wednesday that it has signed a firm order for four new CRJ900 regional jets with Uganda National Airlines Company.

Based on the list price for the CRJ900 aircraft, the firm order is valued at approximately US$190 million (Shs 711Billion)

“We congratulate the Government of Uganda for the revival of its national flag carrier, and are thrilled that the new airline has selected Bombardier and the CRJ900 regional jets for its upcoming debut,” said Jean-Paul Boutibou, Vice President, Sales, Middle-East and Africa, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft.

“Recognized for its superior economics and efficiency, the CRJ Series aircraft have enabled airlines worldwide to serve communities with better connectivity, and we look forward to supporting the development of Uganda’s regional air travel with these CRJ900 regional jets.”

Uganda Airlines is expected to operate the CRJ900 in dual-class configuration with 76 seats, including 12 first class seats.

Speaking at the deal signing, Ephraim Bagenda, CEO, Uganda Airlines said, “We are delighted to have ordered the world’s leading regional jet, and we look forward to providing the most modern passenger experience in regional aviation to the people of Uganda and across Africa,”

“As we were establishing Entebbe as a strong hub in East Africa and building more connectivity in Africa, we thoroughly reviewed our needs. With its proven track record in Africa and other regions of the world, we are confident that the CRJ900 aircraft will help us succeed.”

Key features of the new interior are comprised of larger passenger living space, wheel-first roller bag capability, more spacious lavatory, increased cabin connectivity options, all integrated in a contemporary design and material choices.

The ATMOSPHÈRE cabin design according to Bombardier, allows passengers to carry and store an “oversized” roller bag within the aircraft cabin bins which minimizes the need to check bags at the counter or the gate.

Canadian based plane manufactures Bombardier Commercial Aircraft announced Wednesday that it has signed a firm order for four new CRJ900 regional jets with Uganda National Airlines Company.

Based on the list price for the CRJ900 aircraft, the firm order is valued at approximately US$190 million (Shs 711Billion)

The firm order is valued at approximately US$190 million or 700Billion Shillings

Uganda Airlines is expected to operate the CRJ900 in dual-class configuration with 76 seats, including 12 first class seats.

Viable?

Uganda Airlines which was established under President Idi Amin in 1977 was liquidated in 2001 after government failed to get private investors to revamp it.

Air Uganda, a private company attempted to fill the shoes as the national carrier but was also grounded in 2014 after CAA revoked its operating Licence.

President Museveni in June 2017 ordered for the revival of the airline, describing the lack of it as a big shame.

The President said that once revived, the Uganda Airlines will succeed mainly because of the direct travel opportunities that it will offer its Ugandans in the diaspora, business community, tourists and the vast domestic travel opportunities.

He explained the Ugandans in the diaspora especially in South Africa, Canada and United State of America and Indians who were expelled from Uganda by Idi Amin in the United Kingdom are inconvenienced by other airlines that must pass through their Capitals but once Uganda Airlines is revived they will benefit from direct travel.

“Uganda has a captive travelling population. Many people want a flying schedule that suits them and yet most of the airlines look at nationalism and must first pass through their countries of origin,” he said.

The interim Board and Management have been appointed to run the national carrier.

The East Africa Civil Aviation Academy (EACAA) - Soroti is being revamped and undergoing certification process to become a center of aviation excellence in the region.

The Academy has since recruited technical staff: Director; Quality Manager; Safety Manager; Chief Engineering Instructor; Flying instructors, Ground instructors, Engineering instructors and Flight Operations Instructors.

The school also boasts of 9 new state-of-art training aircrafts and has completed training of 30 students: 9 cadet pilots, 7 aircraft maintenance engineers and 14 flight operations officers.

Training of 15 pilots, 15 Flight operators, and 5 aircraft engineers is expected to be concluded by end of this year.

The Works Ministry also intends to develop and upgrade Arua, Gulu, Jinja, Kasese and Soroti airfields. Their aerodromes have been prepared and are awaiting financing.

Experts have since cautioned against viability of the national airline amid tight competition from established regional and international carriers.

But Museveni is optimistic the airline will promote Uganda’s tourism and ease movement of travelers.

He said once the airline is revived, Ugandan tourist sites will be well marketed to the world in a way that no country would compete with Uganda.

“In terms of tourism, no country can compete with Uganda if we have an airline and promote our nice weather, wildlife and the other tourist attractions,” he said.

President Museveni further said Uganda airline will survive once revived because there are many industries developing in the country that will use the airline to export their products.

He said this would increase the number of exports and reduce of imports thus earning Uganda foreign revenue.

He also explained there were many Ugandans traveling and exporting cargo to Bunya in Democratic Republic of Congo, Juba in South Sudan, Nairobi, Dar es Salaam and Lagos in Nigeria and the airline would make their travel and business faster and more direct.

VULE AIRWAYS is a privately-owned Ugandan registered airline, whose objective is to fill the vacuum in the Ugandan air transport sector created by the lack of a national airline that serves both domestic and international passenger and cargo services. VULE AIRWAYS will provide employment opportunities to the aviation fraternity, especially youth in Uganda, and as well as generate revenue for the government through the Civil Aviation Authority dues paid for the licensing and inspection of the enterprise, personnel and aircrafts, air navigation services, aerodrome operations (parking, landing, lighting, office rent, passenger service charge and security charge), and also taxes like VAT, PAYE to Uganda Revenue Authority among others.

The airline is expected to form partnerships with thriving regional and international airlines in order to provide quality air transport services, training of aviators, and development of the aerospace industry. Only through intrigue-free business co-operation within the airline industry, can a successful airline be established and thrive.

The establishment of VULE AIRWAYS is meant to change the mindset deeply rooted in the travelling public of the East African region that no Ugandan managed airline can thrive in the air transport industry.

To accomplish and achieve this goal, Ugandan youth must be encouraged to love, be involved in aviation and thus, educated and empowered with skills that promote and support the aviation industry. In the interim while the local capacity is being built, VULE AIRWAYS shall make use of the existing aviation expertise in the region and also through both wet and damp lease Agreements. Over time, as the local indigenous aviators master the skills, VULE AIRWAYS will professionally phase out the veteran aviation experts.