President Yoweri Museveni has ordered the immediate dismissal of at least 152 employees at Entebbe International Airport after a serious incident involving Maama Maria Nyerere, the widow of former Tanzanian President Julius Nyerere, highlighted alleged corruption and incompetence at the facility.
During her recent visit to Uganda, Maama Maria was reportedly trapped in a faulty elevator at the airport for over four minutes, causing her severe panic and raising health concerns. Sources from the Internal Security Organization (ISO) and Entebbe Airport say that she personally narrated the terrifying experience to President Museveni while at State House.
The President, visibly disturbed by the report, immediately ordered a medical check-up for her and tasked ISO operatives to investigate the matter. Findings revealed that the elevator in question had not been properly maintained, and that a relative of UCAA’s Director of Human Resource and Administration, Sabah Ahmed Kakooza, had been illegally recruited to oversee such technical duties.
In response, Museveni issued a stern directive through a letter dated June 25, 2025, addressed to Works and Transport Minister Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala, demanding swift action.
“I have received information that there is massive corruption in the UCAA, including recruiting unqualified people for employment. One glaring, embarrassing problem was, for instance, Maama Maria Nyerere being trapped in an archaic lift for four minutes,” Museveni wrote.
“All these must be sacked, and so should those who recruited them. I demand immediate action.”
The President emphasized that such incidents not only reflect serious inefficiencies but also embarrass the nation, especially when they involve highly respected guests like Maama Maria.
While the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) has not officially responded to the President’s letter, it previously stated that it does not condone corruption or extortion. The authority also clarified that many operations at the airport are managed by independent service providers, including immigration, airlines, health officials, customs, and security agencies.
This scandal adds to ongoing public criticism of Entebbe Airport, including backlash over the newly opened Karibuni Lounge. Travelers expressed disappointment with the lounge’s design and furnishings, prompting UCAA to promise improvements.
“We’ve taken note of concerns about the furniture and layout and will work with the concessionaire to fix them,” said Vianney Luggya, UCAA’s Public Affairs Manager.
Despite these challenges, UCAA reported positive numbers in May 2025, with over 198,000 passengers and 5,900 metric tonnes of cargo handled.
Still, the President’s recent action signals a zero-tolerance approach to corruption, especially in critical public institutions. For many, this dramatic move shows how one guest’s near-death experience sparked a long-overdue cleanup at Uganda’s international gateway.
