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Uganda: CAA Demands Sh17b From Monuc
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New Vision (Kampala)
5 March 2008
Posted to the web 6 March 2008
Alfred Wasike and Emmy Olaki
Kampala
THE United Nations Mission in the DR Congo (MONUC) owes the Civil Aviation Authority over $10m (about sh17b).
The money is for using Entebbe International Airport's facilities.
According to sources, the debt accrued between March 2002, when MONUC started operating in Congo, and January 31, 2008.
"The fees are for landing, air navigation, airport passenger service and change facilities," sources told The New Vision.
Another official noted: "Any operator that uses any international airport in the world has to pay for the services provided."
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) spokesperson, Ignie Igunduura, confirmed that they had been billing the UN agency for about five years.
"We have been billing them since March 2002 for the aeronautic services they have been consuming. However, they keep referring to a memorandum of understanding (with the Government), saying it exempts them from paying for anything."
On August 8, 2003, the UN and the Ugandan Government signed an agreement, allowing MONUC to use Entebbe as their base for flying in and out of the war-torn DRC.
The then Ugandan foreign affairs minister, James Wapakhabulo, and Hedi Annabi, UN's assistant secretary-general for peacekeeping operations, signed the pact in New York, USA. "The use of these facilities shall be without payment of dues, tolls, landing fees, parking fees, over-flight, port fees and charges including wharfage charges.
"However, exemption from charges for services rendered will not be claimed," the agreement stated.
The agreement was not clear on who was meant to clear the dues.
Aâ-àCAA official said: "As far as we are concerned, we are billing MONUC and not the Government."
The regional cooperation minister, Isaac Musumba, said the Government would resolve the issue.
"MONUC was authorised by the Government (to use Entebbe as their base) following President Museveni's blessing and sanction. It was our contribution towards stabilising our crucial neighbour, the DR Congo. We hoped that this act of generosity and concern would be appreciated by our neighbours."
"The agreement is still in place but CAA has its own requirements and financial obligations to meet. We simply cannot ignore the fact that airports have to be maintained."
The agreement gave MONUC unrestricted freedom of entry and exit without delay or hindrance of its personnel, contractors, property, supplies and equipment.
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According to the three-page pact obtained by The New Vision, the Government also agreed to give MONUC and the United Nations contractors free visas, licenses and permits.
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