KAMPALA, Uganda — Uganda’s national carrier, Uganda Airlines, has come under intensified scrutiny after the State House Anti-Corruption Unit and the Police Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) launched a joint investigation into allegations of abuse of office, embezzlement of funds and false accounting tied to the airline’s financial and procurement activities.
The inquiry represents the most serious law-enforcement intervention into the airline’s operations since its government-backed relaunch in 2019, and underscores growing concerns over governance, financial management and strategic decision-making at the troubled state-owned enterprise.
In a letter dated 7 January 2026, the CID, acting jointly with the State House Anti-Corruption Unit, requested a comprehensive set of financial, procurement and operational records from Uganda Airlines Chief Executive Officer Jenifer Bamuturaki to aid the investigation.
Among the records sought are the carrier’s approved business and implementation plan, the 2024/25 budget, minutes from the contracts committee meetings, notably those approving the controversial purchase of Boeing aircraft, and procurement files for major suppliers, including MixJet Flight Support Services, Associated Energy Group and Aircraft Leasing Services (ALS) Ltd.
Investigators also want documents relating to the construction of Uganda Airlines’ offices in Entebbe, internal audit reports for the 2024/25 financial year, revenue accounting and ticketing records, and banking and cash receipt data for the same period.
The probe extends to fuel supply contracts, one of the airline’s largest operating costs — and to companies that supported the launch of the airline’s London route, the carrier’s first long-haul connection and a symbol of Uganda’s ambition to compete on international routes.
The CID assigned Detective Superintendent of Police Winniefred Nakatudde to receive the requested documents.
Historical concerns and parliamentary scrutiny
The investigation adds to a growing pattern of financial and operational concerns surrounding Uganda Airlines.
A 2023/24 Auditor-General’s report showed the airline incurred a loss of USh237.9 billion (about $66.7 million), prompting intense scrutiny by Parliament’s Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE).
Despite an expected increase in revenue, including passenger numbers rising by 23% to more than 500,000 in the year to June 2025, cost pressures such as fuel, crew allowances and aircraft maintenance have kept the airline in the red.
Uganda Airlines has also faced questions over the composition and procurement decisions of its fleet. Critics have raised concerns about financing and technical justification for aircraft acquisitions, fueling debate over cost-efficiency and strategic planning.
Additional tensions surfaced when MPs criticised senior management, including CEO Bamuturaki, for skipping parliamentary hearings examining the airline’s finances and operational challenges — particularly those raised in the Auditor-General’s report.
Audit flags and revenue irregularities
Separate audit findings have flagged irregular passenger service fees, reportedly totaling about $9.2 million, that may have been misappropriated, and conflicts of interest in ticket sales linked to travel agencies connected to airline executives.
Also Read: Audit exposes family-linked agencies behind Uganda Airlines’ $2.6m discounted ticket monopoly
According to the audit, walk-in ticketing fees, officially removed in July 2023, continued to be charged at several stations without clear evidence that the monies were banked.
Broader context: Public enterprise oversight
Uganda Airlines’ woes come amid wider efforts by the government to tighten oversight of state-owned enterprises perceived to be plagued by inefficiency and financial mismanagement.
The probe aligns with broader investigations by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit into alleged misuse of public funds across several government agencies and local councils.
While the current inquiry does not in itself establish wrongdoing, it signals a heightened focus on accountability and governance in high-profile national institutions, particularly as Uganda heads into a general election year.
As of publication, Uganda Airlines had not issued an official statement regarding the ongoing investigations. Efforts to reach the airline’s board chairperson and corporate spokesperson for comment were unsuccessful.
