KAMPALA, UGANDA: The Inspectorate Government, with help of the Uganda Police, has arrested Mr. Cornwell Muleya, the former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Uganda Airlines.
The Deputy IGG, Ms. Patricia Achan Okiria confirmed the development on Tuesday June 21 saying Muleya was arrested for willfully and without lawful justification disobeying the IGG orders as per section 35 of Inspectorate of Act 2002.
Achan added that the office of the IG is currently carrying out investigations into the mismanagement of the national carrier during the period when Muleya was the CEO, and once investigations conclude, he will be aligned for prosecution next week.
“In the court of our investigations, the Inspectorate of Government summoned him to give information and facilitate the investigations but failed to heed to the summons. Consequently, Mr.Cornwell Muleya has been arrested and charged with the offence of failure to attend before the Inspectorate of Government when so ordered,” Dr. Achan said.
Muleya was the CEO of the national airline since 2013 as it revamped from Air Uganda to Uganda Airlines but was in April 2021 suspended by the Minister of Works and Transport, Gen Edward Katumba Wamala, and replaced by Ms. Jennifer Bamuturaki as the acting CEO.
Muleya, together with other senior managers were suspended on the orders of President Museveni to pave way for investigations into allegations of financial mismanagement, collusion, and nepotism in staff recruitment among other issues.
After nine months of suspension, Muleya’s contract was terminated.
His arrest comes days after a mediation process that had sought to find an agreeable solution in a Shs 3.3bn case between him and the Uganda Airlines collapsed last month.
The Wakiso District Labour Office had on April 21 invited representatives from Uganda Airlines and Mr Muleya for mediation in a case in which the former chief executive officer is seeking compensation over the alleged illegal sacking.
The case was then referred to the Industrial Court for disposal given that no Uganda Airlines or government official appeared at the scheduled mediation meetings.
“Uganda Airlines did not appear on two consecutive occasions. We hope they appear in the Industrial Court. Otherwise, the case will proceed to be heard and determined in their absence. They should defend the actions they took, that is how issues will be resolved,” Mr Fred Muwema, whose law firm – Muwema & Co Advocates & Solicitors – is representing Mr Cornwell Muleya, who is challenging his sacking from Uganda Airlines said on May 5.
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