Uganda’s State House Anti-Corruption Unit (SHACU), working in coordination with the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID), has commenced investigations into Uganda Airlines over suspected financial and administrative irregularities, officials have confirmed.

The ongoing inquiry is examining allegations related to possible abuse of office, suspected mismanagement of public funds, and concerns over financial documentation linked to transactions at the national carrier. Authorities have stressed that the investigation is at an early stage and that no findings or criminal responsibility have been determined.

Officials from the State House Anti-Corruption Unit confirmed that investigators are collaborating closely with CID as part of the probe. The public and media have been urged to exercise restraint as inquiries continue, with assurances that official communication will be issued once substantive progress is made.

As part of the investigation, CID has formally written to Uganda Airlines management requesting access to a broad range of records to support the inquiry. The correspondence, dated early January 2026, seeks certified copies of strategic and operational documents, including the airline’s business and implementation plans, approved budgets for the 2024/2025 financial year, and procurement records.

Investigators have also requested documentation related to aircraft acquisition processes, contracts with service providers, internal audit reports, revenue accounting and ticketing systems, fuel expenditure, banking records, and procurement files associated with the construction of the airline’s offices in Entebbe. According to officials, the documents are intended to help investigators establish a comprehensive understanding of the airline’s financial and operational controls.

Uganda Airlines was relaunched in 2019 as the country’s national carrier and is fully owned by the Government of Uganda. The airline receives public funding and is therefore subject to oversight by statutory institutions, including the Office of the Auditor General and Parliament.

In previous years, audit reports and parliamentary oversight reviews highlighted concerns relating to governance, procurement practices, and internal control systems at the airline. While such reviews pointed to operational weaknesses and financial risks, authorities have consistently noted that audit findings do not in themselves amount to criminal culpability.

Officials involved in the current investigation have emphasised that the process remains fact-finding in nature. Individuals and institutions referenced in connection with the inquiry are presumed innocent, and no arrests or charges have been announced. Investigators have not disclosed how far the inquiry may extend or provided timelines for its conclusion.

The probe comes amid renewed government focus on strengthening accountability and transparency in state-owned enterprises, particularly those that depend on taxpayer funding. Authorities say the outcome of the investigation will determine whether any administrative, disciplinary, or criminal measures are warranted under existing laws.

Uganda Airlines has not issued a detailed public statement on the matter but has previously indicated its willingness to cooperate with oversight and investigative bodies in accordance with legal requirements.

URN