Headline: Uganda Airlines Faces Criminal Probe Over Multi-Million Dollar Deals and Missing Funds
Kampala, January 2026 — Uganda’s national carrier, Uganda Airlines, is under a major criminal investigation led by the Police Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) and the State House Anti-Corruption Unit. Senior officials are being investigated for alleged abuse of office, embezzlement, and false accounting, centering on controversial aircraft purchases, dubious contracts, and the disappearance of over $9.2 million in revenue.
In a formal letter dated January 7, 2026, CID demanded a wide array of financial and procurement records from CEO Jennifer Bamuturaki, marking the most serious law enforcement intervention since the airline’s relaunch in 2019.
Core Allegations Under Scrutiny
- Controversial Boeing Aircraft Procurement
Investigators are examining a contentious push to acquire Boeing aircraft, which deviated from the cabinet-approved 2018 business plan that recommended Airbus. Minutes from internal meetings reveal that technical managers, including the Director of Maintenance and Chief Pilot, objected to the Boeing plan in June 2025. The probe will assess whether CEO Bamuturaki and a small group of managers sidelined expert advice to proceed with the deal. - Questionable Acquisition of Aging Cargo Plane
A plan to purchase a 22-year-old Boeing 737-800 freighter is under scrutiny. Documents show the aircraft’s price jumped from approximately $20 million to $31 million after engagement with a brokerage firm, despite technical warnings that its engines were near mandatory replacement—a condition that could add millions in future maintenance costs. - Fuel and Leasing Contracts
CID has requested files related to fuel suppliers Mixjet Flight Support Services and Associated Energy Group, following audit concerns over pricing and oversight. Aircraft leasing arrangements with Aircraft Leasing Services (ALS) Ltd are also under investigation for allegations of inflated costs and poor value. - Ticketing and Revenue Management
The investigation extends to the airline’s dealings with Nyanza Tours and Travel. A prior special audit found that agencies linked to airline staff controlled over 90% of deeply discounted ticket classes, raising conflict-of-interest concerns. Investigators are now examining whether all revenue from these sales was properly recorded and banked.
The Missing $9.2 Million
One of the most severe allegations involves the apparent loss of more than $9.2 million (approx. Shs 35 billion) in service fees. Auditors discovered that although a $30 walk-in ticket service fee was officially scrapped in July 2023, it continued to be charged for nearly a year across multiple offices and sales agents. Crucially, there is no evidence these collected fees were ever banked, indicating potential misappropriation.
Scope of the Investigation
The police have also demanded records related to companies that supported the launch of the costly London route, suggesting a review of associated marketing and service contracts. Detective Superintendent of Police Winnifred Nakatudde is leading the document collection.
The letter was copied to the heads of CID and the State House Anti-Corruption Unit, underscoring the investigation’s high-level priority. Uganda Airlines has not yet issued a public statement regarding the probe.
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