Civil Aviation HR Boss Thrown In Luzira Over Shs14m Payroll Fraud Scandal

ennifer Etit Okaka, the Human Resource Manager at the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA)

The Anti-Corruption Court in Kampala has formally charged Jennifer Etit Okaka, the Human Resource Manager at the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA), with corruption, causing financial loss, and abuse of office.

The prosecution alleges that between June and November 2023, Okaka failed to update the organisation’s payroll system to remove a staff member who had resigned, resulting in a financial loss of approximately UGX 17 million

The staff member in question—Irene Atukunda Kagume, a UCAA security assistant—allegedly continued to be paid monthly salary and terminal benefits totalling about UGX 146.5 million, despite having absented herself from the position.

In addition, UCAA’s legal services manager, Joel Joseph Okwalinga, stands accused of improperly accepting Atukunda’s resignation without the required disciplinary hearing.

The case is part of a broader crackdown: in total, nine officials across various government agencies—including UCAA—are facing charges related to a payroll scam that allegedly caused the state a shillings 53 billion loss.

Okaka has been remanded to Luzira Prison ahead of her next court appearance, set for August 14, 2025. The charge sheet includes allegations of failures in due diligence, and the judiciary will weigh whether her inactions constitute criminal culpability under anti-corruption statutes.

Context: Widening Scandal and Institutional Oversight

This event comes amid heightened scrutiny of UCAA’s internal governance following revelations of systemic hiring irregularities.

A December 2023 Auditor General’s report raised concerns that UCAA recruited at least 136 staff without proper interviews or sufficient documentation of qualifications, and retained staff beyond their probation periods without proper review—practices that have since drawn sharp criticism from MPs and labor representatives.

Since these findings emerged, UCAA has taken action against over 80 staff members, terminating their employment amid a major internal review and anti-corruption effort.

Its leadership has emphasized efforts to align recruitment and payroll practices with legal and professional standards.

Looking Ahead

As Okaka’s trial proceeds, the case promises to be a significant indicator of accountability within UCAA and, more broadly, public sector governance in Uganda.

It remains to be seen whether institutional reforms can be effectively implemented to prevent recurrence of such costly administrative oversights.

Let me know if you’d like a deeper dive into any aspect—whether UCAA’s broader reform measures, parliamentary reactions, or details of the legal proceedings