By Mmeeme Leticia Luwenze and Leonard Kamugisha Akida,
KAMPALA:
Following media reports on Uganda’s likelihood to handover its only International Airport, Entebbe Airport to China, there is a heated national and international debate on the legalities of the ownership of the Airport in Question.
Media is now filled with reports and columns from different stakeholders, technocrats, economists lawyers and politicians many of whom criticizing the incumbent government of selling off almost all government parastatals to foreign governments under guise of borrowing.
John Kikonyogo, the Deputy Spokesperson of the popular opposition political party, Forum for Democratic Change, has tasked government to explain on the rightful ownership of the Airport.
Kikonyogo was addressing members of the press at the party Headquarters on Monday where he expressed party demands to the government regarding ongoing media reports about Chinese takeover of the Airport.
The Genesis:
Last week, Media reports indicated that Uganda is likely to lose its Entebbe Airport International Airport to China over its failure to pay back a loan that was ironically intended for its development.
According to reports at the ministry of Finance Uganda, China’s Export – Import (EXIM) Bank lent Uganda $201 million at 2% upon disbursement in 2015 for the expansion of Entebbe airport, with a Seven year grace period and maturity period of 20 years.
However, Ugandan government waived off the clause for international immunity, attaching the Airport. This according to reports implies that China can takeover the ownership and possession of Enetebbe international airport without any international arbitrations.
FDC now demands accountability of the borrowed loan and the rightful ownership of the airport.
“We demand that government comes to clear on how the money was spent, individuals that used the money, give accountability and clarify to the general public on the status of the ownership pf the airport today?” FDC demands.
