By: Kyeyune Ali
On Thursday 16th March Uganda Air Cargo Corporation got new board of directors.
At the event held at the UACC headquarters in Entebbe Wakiso District, the Minister of Defence and Veterans Affairs, Hon. Vincent Bamulangaki Ssempijja has urged the new Board of Directors of Uganda Air Cargo Corporation to work towards making it competitive player in the air cargo industry so that Uganda can take advantage of its business potential in the region.
“UACC remains one of our National strategic capabilities that requires our commitment and determination to remain efficiently operational,” Hon. Minister said
Hon. Ssempijja underscored that achieving self-reliance is of prime importance for any developing country like Uganda as otherwise, it would increase the country’s dependence on foreign support.
“I wish to thank His Excellency the President and Commander-in-Chief for his strategic vision and emphasis on self-reliance. Indeed, it is clear that the only way we can position Uganda as an economic hub in the region is by developing critical infrastructure and investing in key enabling sectors such as, communication, transport and aviation industry,” Hon. Minister added.
Minister Ssempijja commended the outgoing Board members for serving with utmost commitment and determination and the Management of UACC for keeping UACC afloat. He implored the new Board to cultivate new partnerships and strategies on how UACC can be expanded through the acquisition of new air assets and personnel so that the entity can ably exploit fleeting business opportunities.
The General Manager of UACC, Lt Gen Nakibus Lakara thanked the outgoing Board for the harmonious working relationship for the two years that he has been in the management of the UACC.
“We did not have variants of opinion. At the end of the day, we always agreed on how to move forward,” said Lt Gen Lakara.
He pledged to work and support the new Board members as they endeavor to fulfill their duties.
In his handover remarks, the outgoing UACC Board Chairman, Capt. John Emily Otekat implored the new Board members not to work in isolation but to work as a team and with MoDVA/UPDF in order to move the corporation to grater heights.
Speaking on behalf of the new Board, the new UACC Board Chairman Capt. Gad Gasatura said that Board of Directors is critical to the success and survival of any organization especially public entities like the UACC. He pledged that the new Board will work closely with MoDVA/UPDF and the UACC Management team to ensure efficiency of the Corporation’s operations.
In attendance were; the State Minister of Defence in charge of Defence, Hon. Oboth-Oboth, State Minister of Defence in charge of Veterans Affairs, Hon. Huda Oleru, the Chief of Defence Forces, Gen Wilson Mbadi, Commander Air Force, Lt Gen Charles Okidi, Chief of Staff-Land Forces, Maj Gen Jack Bakasumba, Generals and senior officers of the UPDF, Management and Staff members of the UACC.
Full Board:
The New chairman of the board is Capt. Gad Gasatura
Lt Gen. Nakibus Lakara
Capt . John Emily Otekati.