Uganda Civil Aviation Authority Slams Alleged Extortion at Entebbe Airport

The Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) has condemned acts of extortion of money from passengers through Entebbe International Airport, saying the authority does not in any way condone such acts.

This follows trending social media videos highlighting cases of alleged extortion of money from passengers through the Airport.

Uganda Civil Aviation Authority said such acts and incidents are highly regrettable and unacceptable.

UCAA noted that previously reported cases with specific details have been thoroughly investigated and where the staff of various agencies operating at the airport were found culpable, serious disciplinary action was taken, including termination of contracts and withdrawal of airport access passes from them, among others.

The Authority also said although it facilitates operations at Entebbe International Airport, this is done in liaison with several independent providers of key services, including but not limited to immigration, handling agents (NAS and DAS), airlines, Ministry of Health through port health, security agencies, URA customs, and Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development (Labour externalization agents), among others.

It reiterated its ‘commitment’ to continue engaging all the airport service providers to take tough action on anyone found culpable of this vice, and also ensure that complaints are duly addressed to the satisfaction of the airport users.

In regards to the circulating video, UCAA said that none of the regurgitated trending videos specifically states a particular checkpoint, time, day and flight details of when the alleged extortion may have taken place. It says that this would help in the investigations.

“We are contacting the parties in the Tik-Tok videos to share with us information that can guide us to take quick action. In the past, we have investigated similar generalised claims made on Tik-Tok, but unfortunately, no specific information was established to corroborate the claims. The airport has cameras placed in strategic places for security reasons and to enable UCAA to address such issues when they occur,” UCAA said in a statement.

The authority also urged the travelling public not to be compelled or lured into paying money to any staff they interface with (from whichever agency) in the course of travel through Entebbe International Airport.