NATIONAL: The founders of Aviation training institutes in Uganda have appealed to the government to help them on the corruption in the aviation industry, which they say is preventing many students from getting jobs after completing their training in various airline courses.
This call was made by flight captain Mike Mukula, the proprietor of Uganda Aviation Academy, one of the leading Aviation schools in Uganda, east Africa and Africa at large.
Uganda Aviation Academy Students/Courtesy Photo.
Captain Mike Mukula, founder of the Uganda Aviation Academy, said the country’s aviation industry is one of the growing sectors after the government started allowing private institutions to start training students in aviation but fortnightly most of them get stranded after completing studies yet the country has a good number of flight companies which have employed majority of foreigners.
Captain Mukula, further expressed concern over the corruption that is still rampant in the industry, saying it is preventing students from getting jobs in the airlines.
“Due to corruption that is still rampant in the Aviation industry, this is preventing students from getting jobs in renowned transport companies. Uganda Aviation Academy has produced: – cabin crew, training, ticketing, flight operations, aviation security, cargo handling and many other specialized trainings who have toured the national Airport today ‘’ – Captain Mukula.
Captain Mukula Also revealed that the aviation industry is growing from strength to strength now that Uganda has its own Airline which is also expanding its routs to various parts of the world and as far as I am informed, they will further be having a direct flight to Landan, and currently they are flying direct to Dubai and they also intend to fly to India, Bombe and other parts of the world.
“As far as I know, Uganda Airline will also be flying to west Africa but the bottom line is that many Air company are now coming into the country and we have the Aviation industry which is expanding and now that we have oil many chatter companies that coming in for development and I want to say that sister company Safari Air will be opening offices in pan African house at Kimathi Avenue the centre of Kampala and many of our students will be going through training”- Captain Mukula.
In Order to improve on the quality of the Aviation business sector, Mukula said that they intend to launch the Hitali International university which will train students in various courses to collaborate with the Aviation industry so that they can have tour guides, Hotel management, housekeeping, bakery, chefs & cooks etc.
“This will create employment for young people in the country, as you know the demographics of this country, which is known that almost 80% of people at the age 30 – 35 are jobless. There is no better industry like the Aviation sector, I am very proud to have the aviation team here, Uganda aviation Academy is international with students from all the way from Ethiopia, Eretria, India, Pakistan, South Sudan, Kenya, Somalia, Rwanda, Burundi, DRC Congo, Tanzania and as far as Zambia”- Captain Mukula noted.
He concluded by saying that the Aviation Industry is now integrating and getting globalised.
“I want to thank the team and encourage the students to be serious about the Aviation industry and training and avoid HIV and AIDS, continue to be healthy and aim high as our moto elastrats. I want to take the opportunity to once again assure you we are going to work with the ministry of Health, ministry of transport, and work very closely again with the ministry of tourism to see that we expand the opportunities and grow the Aviation industry in the country. Uganda is a stable country and I would like to congratulate president Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for having put and enabling environment for the private sector blow so, security is a cornerstone in the revolution of the development of our nation” Captain Mukula.