On Thursday, the Ugandan aviation authorities posted a notice prohibiting visitors from taking photos or making recordings in what they called restricted sections of Entebbe International Airport.
This is not a new directive, and it “should not be misconstrued,” according to Mr. Vianney Luggya, spokesperson for the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA).
“It has always been illegal to take pictures or videos in restricted areas of the airport’s terminal building without getting prior permission. Even journalists who access the terminal building for official coverage of activities first go through a formal clearance process before they can be allowed to take photos and videos of specific areas/activities,” Mr Luggya said on Thursday.
This comes just days after UCAA declared that if the complaint can present solid proof, they will take appropriate action regarding claims of worker misbehavior at the airport.
Mr. Luggya explained in his statement: “For the complaints, we only need an indication of what may have happened on a particular day and the matter is investigated with reference to CCTV footage, among others. Gathering of evidence doesn’t have to be done with breaking of another Regulation.”
Gen Katumba Wamala, Minister of Works and Transport, was questioned by Parliament on Wednesday about the suspected corruption at the airport.
The minister was given the duty of severing the airport’s management from the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority by the House, which was presided over by Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa (UCCA).
Additionally, the legislators requested that the minister refrain from managing the airport on a day-to-day basis and instead focus on providing regulatory oversight.
Last Monday, Tayebwa gave the minister instructions to make a statement regarding the alleged wrongdoing at Entebbe Airport.
In accordance with the order, Gen. Katumba made a statement about the recent events at the airport that damaged the reputation of the nation’s sole international air gateway.
According to Gen. Katumba, the discovery of the corruption at the airport was an eye-opener that sparked a number of constructive adjustments. However, he asserted that the corruption problem is a national disaster that must be addressed, not just one that affects the airport.
“It is not only at the airport, every institution has the same problem. So, we need to address moral decay as a requirement,” Gen Katumba said.
He noted that actions had been taken since then. He claimed that beginning of February 10 leaving passengers will enter the airport through the newly renovated passenger terminal building, per a resolution made at the joint security meeting held on January 17.