A new shocker has emerged regarding the ownership of the pUganda Airlines. Documents presented to the Parliament’s Budget Committee for further scrutiny earlier today indicate that the company is owned by Finance minister Matia Kasaija and Works and Transport Monica Ntege Azuba in their individual capacities, not even as ministers.
This follows yesterday’s controversy, where the minister of Works and Transport Azuba told parliament that the government owns 100 percent shares in the national carrier, but only after information submitted had indicated that government owns just 0.01% of the national airline.
Consequently, members of the Budget Committee have raised fresh concerns regarding the ownership of the National Airline. There are also queries from the committee about the actual proof of registration of the airline, after government officials withdrew documents presented to Parliament yesterday on grounds that the documents have several errors pertaining signatures of ownership of the company.
“The registration documents were signed by shareholders instead of directors. All the shares have been allotted to ministers as individuals and this is not sustainable,” said Mr Amos Lugoloobi, the Budget Committee Chairperson said of the problem with the documents re the registration and ownership of Uganda Airlines.
Mr Lugoloobi (Ntejeru North) said that, “there seems to be a serious problem at the registry regarding the airline because if there was no problem, we would not be having this mess.”
He also warned at a meeting Thursday that the errors pause serious questions regarding the capacity of the government to operate the airline.
After picking the microphone, Mr Kasaija said: “I want to apologise on behalf of my ministry for anything that did not come out sparkly. My people should ensure that we do things smartly. If you are not sure, don’t speak,” he said.
The minister explained that the government owns all the shares with ministry of Finance and Works taking a 50/50 share holding.
He said that “at the time of incorporation, the two shares were allotted to the ministers leaving the rest for future allotment pending capitalisation of the company,” and that this was subsequently addressed.