The Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) has assured Parliament that it is taking steps to address power supply and baggage screening challenges at Entebbe International Airport, with a new transformer expected to be delivered by December 2026.
The assurance was given during a meeting between UCAA officials and the Parliamentary Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE), chaired by Hon. Nkunyingi Muwada.
The committee was reviewing progress on issues identified during its earlier oversight visit to Entebbe International Airport.
UCAA officials told the committee that the Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) for the new transformer was successfully completed in Vietnam last month, clearing the way for its delivery to Uganda.
The transformer is part of a project to upgrade the airport’s main power station to 8MVA.
Documents presented to the committee show that the project is valued at Sh2.39 billion, with the transformer now scheduled for delivery by December 2, 2026, following an extension of the contract period.
However, committee members questioned the revised delivery date and sought clarification on the difference between an initial estimated cost of about Sh1 billion and the final contract value of Sh2.39 billion.
In response, UCAA officials said the relevant procurement and contract documents, including approvals for the contract extension, would be submitted to the committee for scrutiny.
The authority also confirmed that clearance had been obtained from the Solicitor General for both the contract and its extension.
Committee chairperson Nkunyingi directed UCAA to provide the complete procurement file, covering the process from initiation to contract award, to enable the committee to establish how the project was procured and the cost determined.
UCAA Deploys Alternative Baggage Scanners
On baggage screening, UCAA told the committee that measures had been put in place to ensure that equipment failures do not interrupt screening operations at the airport.
Officials said two scanners in the existing baggage-handling system remain faulty, but two additional scanners have been deployed in the baggage make-up area to keep screening operations running.
UCAA said efforts are ongoing to repair the affected scanners, with some spare parts already procured.
The authority also reported that some software-related faults had been addressed through an online technical simulation, while a specialist consultant is expected to travel to Uganda to complete the remaining technical work.
UCAA said the measures are intended to ensure that the temporary unavailability of the older scanners does not compromise aviation security or disrupt airport operations.
COSASE also sought an update on the installation of baggage scanners at the airport’s new terminal.
The committee directed UCAA’s maintenance team to submit detailed documentation on the repairs being undertaken on the existing scanners, as well as progress on the installation of screening equipment at the new terminal.
COSASE is expected to resume its engagement with UCAA next Wednesday at 8:30am, when the authority will present the requested documents and provide further updates on the outstanding issues.
The committee’s continued scrutiny comes as UCAA undertakes improvements aimed at strengthening power infrastructure, baggage screening capacity and the overall reliability of operations at Entebbe International Airport.
