Government makes it compulsory for all officials to fly with Uganda Airlines

Works Minister, Monica Ntege Azuba has said government will make it compulsory for its officials to use the national airlines after its revival.

Government has fast-tracked efforts to revive the Uganda Airlines which collapsed 17 years ago with advance payments for six aircrafts including two Airbuses and four Bombadiers.

Addressing journalists on Tuesday at the Uganda Media Centre in Kampala, Azuba said there is no reason for Ugandans to use other countries’ airlines instead of their own.

“The process is in the pipeline to ensure all government officials use the Ugandan national airline for travels outside the country,” the Works Minister said.

“Government should enforce travel on the national airline because we lose a lot of money to other airlines in travels abroad.”

Assurance

Many Ugandans have been pessimistic over the efficiency of the six aircrafts and the entire national airline whose revival efforts are in high gear.

However, the minister downplayed the fears as being unfounded before urging them to be patriotic.

“We need to be proud of what we own. The airline will be efficient with facilities like others. The fees will be down. Why not use it,” the minister assured.

The Ugandan government loses over US$140million in travels abroad by its officials.

The revival of the Uganda Airlines will see four CRJ 900 Bombadier aircrafts purchased and the first one being in January and the rest will be arriving later and these will be plying regional routes.

According to Minister Azuba, the two A330 Neo Airbuses will be ready by 2020 as they will ply the long-haul routes including to London, China and India.

The revival of the national airline according to government will help boost tourism, reduce cost on exports and travels as well as earning revenue to government.