Police to sell 'idle' KSh1.03 billion aircraft

It is now emerging that the Ugandan government, through the Uganda Police Force (UPF), wasted a whopping USD 7,480,000 million (KSh1.038 billion) to purchase a ‘useless’ aircraft.

The nine-seater aircraft — a Fixed Wing Aircraft, 5X-PEF/PI80 Piaggio Avanti II Evo — was acquired in June 2019 to help the Uganda Police Airwing in its activities.

This wing of the police force is tasked with aerial patrols, search and rescue, rapid response and troop transportation, aerial surveillance for pirates and other criminal elements, aerial assault, insertion and extraction, VIP transportation, medevac and casevac.

The Uganda Police Airwing currently operates 4 aircrafts, comprising of 3 helicopters, and the expensive Fixed Wing Aircraft, 5X-PEF/PI80 Piaggio Avanti II Evo-9 seater, which was acquired in June 2019. PHOTO | UPF

Only 117 kilometres

The airwing operates four aircrafts. An audit has revealed that the airwing has been able to execute its mandate with the use of only three aircrafts, with the PI80 Piaggio Avanti II lying idle.

“…the Fixed wing PI80 Piaggio Avanti II that was acquired in June 2019, at a cost of USD 7.840.000, did not achieve any positive outcome, yet it has the capacity of remaining airborne for up to 8 hours while providing aerial support,” a report seen by TV47 Digital reads in part.

So appalling is the report that since its acquisition, the expensive aircraft has covered a total flying distance of only 117 kilometres.

***Despite the force investing billions of shillings in buying the aircraft, since its acquisition, it has only covered a total flying distance of 117 kilometres. PHOTO | UPF***

Reason for this?

“…because it is not designed for non tarmacked runways, undergoes expensive mandatory inspections, insurance and AMO with no benefits realised. In addition, the Aircraft parts are very expensive given the nature and category of luxury,” the police say.

On Friday, March 29, police led journalists to a guided tour of the aircraft at the police wing in Entebbe.

During the tour, UPF Spokesperson Fred Enanga told journalists that after realising that the aircraft will not help the force, the matter was reported to Internal Affairs Minister, who did not object to a plan of disposing the unserviceable aircraft and procurement of the new compatible helicopter.

The Internal Minister has agreed to a plan by the Uganda Police Force to sell the aircraft and procure a new compatible helicopter that will be useful. A composite board of survey is valuing the aircraft at KShKSh566,001,442, more than half the price it was purchased at. PHOTO | UPF

Selling the idle aircraft

A survey conducted in October 2022 valued the aircraft at USD 4.271, 709.06 (KSh566,001,442). This survey, in valuing the aircraft, considered; depreciated replacement cost valuation, technical condition, based valuation, Blue book values, current marketing running prices, a minimum of USD 100,681.79 (KSh13,340,232) to replace expired parts and it being the only aircraft on the African continent.

“Therefore, the replacement of the fixed wing aircraft will provide the Police Airwing with an additional operational and effective Crime fighting tool. So far, several types of aircraft have been reviewed, with manufacturers and in total consideration of the aircraft possible loads and operations of the Uganda Police,” Enanga said.

He added: “As we conclude, it is considered option of the UPF that the Paggio Avanti 11 Evo is disposed off and a new generation compatible aircraft acquired, through the trade-in procurement sourcing method, and in line with the PPDA laws and regulations.”