Amidst questions surrounding the performance and purported sale of a helicopter acquired by the Uganda Police Force in 2019, Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja has addressed concerns raised in Parliament.
The Uganda Police Force procured a Helicopter Aircraft Fixed Wing 5X PEF/P180 PIAGGIO AVANTI EVO in 2019 at a cost of approximately 28.4 billion shillings. Despite this investment, reports suggest that the aircraft has flown for fewer than 200 hours since its acquisition.
Kasilo MP Elijah Okupa brought the issue to Parliament’s attention, highlighting the apparent contradiction between the hefty purchase price and the rumored sale price of $4 million, equivalent to about 15.4 billion shillings.
During the parliamentary session on Thursday, February 22, 2024, Okupa sought clarification from the Prime Minister regarding the discrepancy in the aircraft’s valuation.
Prime Minister Nabbanja emphasized the importance of the Police Airwing (PAW) in supporting law enforcement activities within the country. The PAW currently operates four aircraft, including three helicopters and one fixed-wing aircraft, intended for various policing functions such as aerial patrols, surveillance, and emergency response.
Regarding the low utilization of the fixed-wing aircraft, Nabbanja cited operational limitations and high maintenance costs as contributing factors. She noted that the aircraft’s design restricts it to paved runways, which limits its operational flexibility.
Nabbanja acknowledged that the Uganda Police Management has been exploring alternative ways to maximize the aircraft’s utility, including potential involvement in domestic aviation operations or leasing it to the national carrier.
Addressing speculation about the sale of the helicopter, Nabbanja dismissed such reports, affirming that the disposal of the aircraft has never been a management consideration for its utilization. She reassured Parliament that if any decision regarding disposal were to be made, it would follow due process and consider the asset’s value for money.
