President Yoweri Museveni has ordered the dismissal of over 150 unqualified employees at the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA), citing systemic corruption and inefficiencies at Entebbe International Airport. According to a directive issued on June 25, 2025, the president attributed the airport’s persistent operational failures to the hiring of staff who lacked proper qualifications, allegedly through corrupt practices.
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The directive follows growing public dissatisfaction with service delivery at Uganda’s only international airport, including reports of extortion, missed flights, and substandard passenger amenities. One notable incident that drew presidential ire was the temporary entrapment of Maama Maria Nyerere in an outdated elevator—a situation Museveni described as “embarrassing.”
Museveni emphasized that both the unqualified staff and those responsible for recruiting them must be dismissed immediately. The letter, addressed to the Minister of Works and Transport Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala, was also copied to top government officials, including the Vice President and Prime Minister.
While the UCAA has yet to formally respond to the president’s directive, it has previously denied or promised to investigate similar allegations. The Authority has also pointed out that operations at the airport are a collaborative effort involving multiple government and private agencies.
Separately, recent criticism has been leveled at the newly launched Karibuni Lounge at the airport, which was introduced as part of an initiative to modernize facilities and improve passenger experience. Despite this, some travelers have dismissed the upgrades as cosmetic, accusing airport managers of failing to meet international standards.
In defense, UCAA officials have stated that the lounge’s design and furnishings were the responsibility of a private concessionaire and promised to address public concerns. The Authority reiterated its commitment to enhancing service quality and meeting global expectations as passenger numbers continue to grow.
In May 2025 alone, the airport processed nearly 200,000 passengers and handled close to 6,000 metric tonnes of cargo—figures that underscore its growing importance in the region, but also the urgent need for reforms.
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