Porter probe clears airlines

Mar 21, 2002

THREE airline companies chartered by the Ministry of Defence for flights into the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have been exonerated of fraud by the Congo Probe Commission.

By Anne MugisaTHREE airline companies chartered by the Ministry of Defence for flights into the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have been exonerated of fraud by the Congo Probe Commission.Knight Aviation, Eagle Aviation and United Airlines yesterday appeared before the commission and defended themselves against accusations that they cheated the defence ministry with fictitious flights.Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and defence ministry officials also appeared before the commission chaired by Justice David Porter.Officials of the three carriers produced documents including air flight invoices and tax invoices, which the commission compared with the CAA flight log book records.The commission found that most of the flights were duly recorded by CAA and on the said days. The officials are Andrew Rugasira, proprietor of Knight Aviation, Capt. Anthony Rubombora of Eagle Aviation and Valentino Wendo for United Airlines. From CAA was air navigation coordinator, Andrew Musoke. The Permanent Secretary, Gabindadde Musoke and UPDF Capt. Johnson Turyahikayo appeared for the defence ministry.The commission had previously heard that some of the flights were not recorded and that defence had overpaid the carriers without invoices. The commission ordered Defence, CAA and the aviation companies to return with documents defending their claims.However, not wanting to let the case go, CAA’s Musoke asked the commission to give him more time to ascertain if CAA issued Knight Aviation with some tax invoices.“There are times when loaded planes taxied on the runway but they would come back and park,” Musoke said.An angry Rugasira asked Musoke to explain how the CAA issued a tax invoice to Knight Aviation without its planes flying out.

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