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Police say they plan to purchase a new 'generation compatible aircraft' after selling off their Fixed Wing 5X PEF/P180 PIAGGIO AVANTI EVO helicopter, which they consider incompatible with their operations.

Police spokesperson Fred Enanga says the current helicopter is 'not designed for non-tarmacked runways, undergoes expensive mandatory inspections, insurance and AMO with no benefits realised'.

The revelation is contained in an X, formerly Twitter, post on Friday, March 29, 2024, in which the Police quoted their spokesperson about the intention of the force to sell off the aircraft, which it values at $4.27m (about shillings 16.6 billion). The aircraft was in 2019 bought at $7.84m (about 28.4 billion at the time) but it has not flown more than 200 hours.

Police spokesperson Fred Enanga says the current helicopter is 'not designed for non-tarmacked runways. (Police photo)

Police say the replacement of the fixed-wing aircraft is expected to 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," Police posted adding that all processes in relation to the sale and acquiring of the aircraft are in line with the PPDA guidelines.

The Police Airwing, according to Enanga currently operates four aircrafts, comprising of three helicopters, and one Fixed Wing Aircraft, 5X-PEF/PI80 Piaggio Avanti II Evo-9-seater. 

"During 2023, the Airwing using the three Helicopters, responded to multiple incidents in the Karamoja region, the Rwenzori region and the cities of Kampala, Jinja, Hoima, Mbarara, Lira, Gulu, Soroti, [and] Arua among others, which makes it an integral and essential part of policing in the country," he said.

Initial denial

Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, who initially dismissed reports that the helicopter was up for sale on February 22, 2024, during Parliament plenary, has given the green light to the Police force to sell it off.

"The Hon. Minister gave no objection to the disposal of the unserviceable aircraft and procurement of the new compatible helicopter," Police said in the post.

Police say they plan to purchase a new 'generation compatible aircraft' after selling off their Fixed Wing 5X PEF/P180 PIAGGIO AVANTI EVO helicopter. (Police photo)

Nabbanja attributed the low performance of the helicopter to its operational limitations, including its design that limits it to only paved/ tarmacked runways, as well as high maintenance and operational costs.

“Due to the above-mentioned limitations, Uganda Police Management has been considering options of how the aircraft could be effectively and efficiently utilized in advancing the police mandate, and where possible be linked to working domestically in the aviation industry, with a possibility of leasing it to the national carrier among other options," she said then.

Nabbanja dismissed the reports of the sale saying disposal of the said aircraft has never been an option taken by Police management as a way of "utilisation" of the said aircraft.

“In any case, if any disposal was to be considered, due process would be diligently followed with all key stakeholders regarding disposal of such an asset and in that respect, value for money would certainly be a key consideration to take into account,” she said.