"Ugandan paper deplores "breaches in security systems" at Old Airport"

Thursday, January 13, 2005

Editorial
Probe Old Airport deals
Uganda - The Monitor


Since the 9 January plane crash off Entebbe, there has been a flurry of
activities including preliminary investigations and formation of a
commission of inquiry into the causes of the accident.

The Russian-built Antonov 12 plane killed all 12 Russian crew in the Wakiso
[central Uganda] jungles just minutes after take off from Entebbe Old
Airport, which is now under the control of the Ministry of Defence. CAA
[Civil Aviation Authority] officials said the company of the ill-fated plane
has made a false cargo declaration saying the plane was carrying
humanitarian and relief aid to a town in the north eastern DRCongo.

However, as it transpired after the accidents, the cargo on the plane did
not have any relief aid material, but it comprised of, a Jeep Cherokee and a
RAV 4, both luxury cars, promotional materials for mobile phone companies as
well as other merchandise. The plane was also heading for Kinshasa, on the
Atlantic coast and not to the northeast DRCongo.

Whereas the CAA and the Ministry of Transport are doing the normal
investigations that follow plane accidents, the Ministry of Defence is yet
to announce what action it is taking on the allegations of possible abuse of
the old airport for illicit trade.

There have reports in the press some years back of influential officers in
security organizations engaging in business between Uganda and the DRCongo
using the old airport and evading both the CAA and the URA [Uganda Revenue
Authority]at Entebbe Customs. We have also witnessed the UN and the Justice
Porter Commission investigating possible plunder by Uganda army officers of
resources from the DRCongo, much of it via the old airport.

The point is that this particular security zone abets serious law-breaking
like smuggling and allowing non-airworthy aircraft to take off, and to land.
Of course this airbase also serves the United Nations and other relief
agencies operating in the DRCongo. But loopholes must be pointed out and
plugged by the government.

Such breaches in security systems can easily cause a major disaster. CAA
cannot continue to just look on as dangerous planes with illicit merchandise
ply our skies.

The military must provide security for the airbase, and surrender the
civilian functions to the CAA. The Ministry of Defence must also probe the
persons involved in smuggling through this airbase, and prosecute them.


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