Ugandan Police to sell Shs28bn 9-seater P180 PIAGGIO AVANTI EVO aircraft due to operational inefficiency.
This decision comes after the aircraft failed to provide effective services due to the lack of tarmacked runways in many parts of Uganda.
The aircraft, which was acquired in June 2019 for USD 7.840.000, has been underutilized, covering only a total flying distance of 117 km.
The Ugandan Police Force has decided to sell one of its newly acquired rescue and operation aircraft after it failed to meet expectations. The fixed-wing aircraft, a PIAGGIO P180 Avanti EVO was acquired for USD 7,840,000.
Police have provided the justification behind the decision to sell off the 9-seater 5XPEF/P180 PIAGGIO AVANTI, an aircraft with registration number 5X-PEF, bought in June 2019 for Shs28 billion to transport among others VIPs.
Ugandan Police spokesperson, Fred Enanga led journalists on guided tour of the aircraft at the Police Airwing in Entebbe in a bid to ascertain the facts surrounding the aircraft.
Enanga explained that whereas it is still in a good condition, the aircraft has not been able to offer transport services as had been envisaged during its purchase.
Police officials said that the aircraft did not deliver the intended outcomes for the force. Since its acquisition, it has only flown a total distance of 117 kilometers due to limitations such as its unsuitability for non-tarmacked runways, expensive mandatory inspections, insurance costs, and Airworthiness Management Organization (AMO) expenses, with no discernible benefits.
“Since its acquisition, it has only covered a total flying time of 117 hours because it is not designed for non-tarmacked runways, undergoes expensive mandatory inspections, insurance and AMO with no benefits realised. In addition, the aircraft parts are very expensive given the nature and category of luxury,” Enanga said.
Recently, Ugandan Members of Parliament queried the rationale behind the procurement of the aircraft, arguing that it was a wastage of resources.
Maintenance is one of the driving factors - The high cost of aircraft parts, coupled with its luxury classification, has added to the financial burden. As a result, the police force has valued the aircraft at USD 4,271,709.06 for resale and has opened it up to the public market.
The commander of the police airwing, Col Patrick Mbayo explained that the aircraft is still in good condition and is able to fly non-stop from Uganda to South Africa but said the decision to sell it off was because there has not been value for money as it has not been used for transport services as had been envisaged.
Police spokesperson, Fred Enanga said the matter was forwarded to the Internal Affairs Minister who gave a greenlight to the disposal of the unserviceable aircraft and procurement of the new compatible helicopter.
He further explained that a board of survey on October, 19, 2022 inspected the aircraft and valued it at $4.2 million, a value that includes depreciated replacement cost valuation, technical condition, based valuation, Blue book values, current marketing running prices, a minimum of $100, 681.79 to replace expired parts and it being the only aircraft on the African continent.
“Therefore, the replacement of the fixed wing aircraft will 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.”
Enanga clarified that the disposal process follows the PPDA regulations, emphasizing the police force’s intention to acquire a new, more suitable aircraft through trade-in procurement, in line with the law. Dismissing rumors of silent disposal, he assured that the process is transparent and compliant.
“It is a considered option of the police force that the Paggio Avanti 11 Evo is disposed of and a new generation compatible aircraft acquired through the trade-in procurement sourcing method, and in line with the PPDA laws and regulations.”
The Police Airwing currently operates a fleet of four Aircraft, comprising of 03 Helicopters, and 01 Fixed Wing Aircraft, 5X-PEF/PI80 Piaggio Avanti II Evo-9 seater.
