Daunting task ahead for new airlines board
Uganda Airlines planes on arrival at Entebbe International Airport in April. PHOTO BY ABUBAKER LUBOWA
The first substantive board members of the Uganda National Airlines Company were inaugurated on Friday with a stern warning to deliver the airlines to the desired destination.
The first airlines crumbled under the weight of poor management and heavy debt, with critics of the revival maintaining that the revitalisation has been rushed without clear resources channeled to keeping the airlines afloat. But government officials have been quick to dispel the fears, saying the team steering the process is competent to deliver the desired goals.
And with only three weeks before to the maiden commercial flight, Works and Transport permanent secretary Waiswa Bageya on Friday warned the new board never to sit back, as a lot needs to be done.
“You have a daunting duty before you and I request you to hit the ground running. There is no time, everything is behind schedule. There are so many activities where the current management will need your support to undertake expressly. We have three weeks to the launch of the commercial flights, but there are a lot of activities to be done,” Mr Bageya warned.
The country has so far received two bombardier aircraft and the remaining two are expected to arrive by the end of the year. The bombardier will ply regional routes while two airbus long-haul aircraft are expected in the next two years for international routes.
Mr Bageya said the aviation industry is a highly regulated sector and nothing should be taken for granted if the new airlines is to succeed. He urged the board members to work as a team.
“I would like to request that you leave nothing to chance. This is a sensitive industry, highly regulated and requires maximum efficiency so if there is something to be done, do it well and thoroughly,” he said.
He also urged the new board members to expedite the process of turning the airlines into a private entity, which will be self-sufficient.
“Support the airline, it’s now a public company, but it’s supposed to be a private company. Fast track that process. We want a situation where in the near future this company should be able to stand on its own, not relying on government funds,” he added.
Works and Transport minister Monica Azuba Ntege urged the new board to ensure the airlines operates efficiently.
“The aviation sector is a very sensitive, sophisticated and an expensive industry. Its customers attach a lot of importance to the value of time and quality of service. Likewise, Ugandans have high expectations for their national airlines.
I am confident that the new board we are inaugurating today has the necessary competence to oversee the growth of the airlines and will do its best to meet the expectations of the Ugandans,” she said.
Among the key tasks for the new board members are completing the recruitment of key staff, launching the commercial flights and driving the airlines towards profitability.
Also important on the examination sheet for the board are safety and security compliance, which if poorly handled, can ground the operations of the airlines.
Ms Azuab said these will be keenly followed by the government and Ugandans to ensure their dreams are not dashed.
