The Minister of Works and Transport Gen Edward Katumba Wamala has dismissed rumors making rounds in the media suggesting that he ordered suspension of the top leadership of Ugandan Airlines.
Daily Monitor had on Saturday afternoon reported that the minister had ordered the Uganda Airlines CEO Cornwell Muleya and a number of top officials to leave office for up to three weeks “to allow for an internal investigation.”
Quoting sources, Daily Monitor reported that “up to five senior officials included Mr Muleya himself, Finance Director Paul Turacayisenga, Marketing Director Rogers Wamala, HRM Joseph Sebowa and Safety Director Bruno Oringi.”
The paper linked the alleged suspension to the airline’s “under-performance, abuse of office and financial mismanagement.”
However, in a brief statement this morning, Minister Katumba said the officials had not been suspended but asked to step aside to allow training of junior staff.
“Because of the low tempo operations caused by COVID19 and the fact that we have not yet started the long haul operations, top management at Uganda Airlines, asked to take leave,” Katumba clarified.
This he said was done to “train and test deputies for quality assurance, and let top management rest as we prepare for the long haul operations.”
“Let’s stop the speculations and focus on supporting Uganda Airlines to better our country,” he said.
The Airlines this week started carrying out test flights for its new Airbus A330NEOs in preparation for commencement of long haul flights.
Some of the planned destinations for the new aircraft include Dubai, London, Guangzhou, Mumbai among others.
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