By end 2013, reports suggested that government was planning to revive Uganda Airlines. It remained speculative until government confirmed the reports, although without a concrete plan on how this would be done. It now seems that president Museveni wants focus put to this in his latest term.
While addressing his new cabinet at State House, Entebbe on Thursday, president Museveni said government will focus on the national airline because Ugandan travelers suffer a lot, which he described as a shame.
The president says he did not pay a lot of attention to the national airliner in the past because he thought the airlines of neighboring countries would serve Ugandans. He has now directed the Ministry of Works and Transport to finalize negotiations with investors that can help the country start a national airline.
According to the president’s calculation, this will save the country 420 million US dollars per year, as well as create jobs for the Ugandan youth. Uganda Airlines collapsed in 2001 due to bankruptcy and debts. Since 2008, government has been planning to revive the national carrier. To start a hub, experts say Uganda needs to set up at least five aircrafts.
This was president Museveni’s first address to cabinet since they were sworn in to serve in president Museveni’s new term. The president also directed government to work with investors of Bujagali to lower costs of electricity, finalize the discussions on setting up the Standard Gauge Railway, building of the industrial parks, ease access to investment licences, zero tolerance to corruption, among others.
