MPs want another plane for president

May 04, 2004

MPs on the sessional committee on presidential and foreign affairs have recommended that US$6m

By Josephine Maseruka

MPs on the sessional committee on presidential and foreign affairs have recommended that US$6m (sh12b) be approved for an airframe for the presidential old helicopter and purchase of a new one.

The committee chaired by Salaam Musumba (Bugabula South) said US$3.5m (sh7b) would purchase a new chopper while US$2.5m(sh5b) will be for airframe of the old one.
MPs said although the presidential seven-year old chopper required an airframe to improve its worthiness, the item was among the un-funded.

They said the recommendation was not aimed at compromising the security of the President and the Vice-President.
The president’s chopper has of recent been breaking down forcing him to use land transport.
The MPs’ recommendation was contained in a 17-page report on the overview of the budgetary framework for this financial year to be presented to the budget committee on Friday.

MPs regretted that on the inland travel item, the office of the president spends between 15% to 20% of their budget on fuel lubrication and vehicle maintenance.
They said it was a reflection of “wastefulness and inefficiency.”

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