Works And Transport Minister Byamukama Orders Arrest of 11 Over Vandalism of Critical Entebbe Airport Installations

Works and Transport Minister Fred Byamukama has ordered the arrest of 11 people, including senior technical officers and security personnel, over alleged vandalism of critical installations at Entebbe International Airport.

The directive followed an inspection of the airport conducted by Byamukama on Thursday, November 5, 2026, accompanied by officials from the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA).

During the inspection, the minister reportedly raised concerns over the alleged destruction and vandalism of important airport infrastructure, prompting him to demand accountability from individuals suspected of involvement.

The 11 people targeted by the arrest directive reportedly include technical staff and security personnel whose responsibilities are connected to the protection, maintenance and management of airport installations.

Byamukama’s decision signals growing concern within the Ministry of Works and Transport over the safety and protection of critical infrastructure at the country’s main international aviation gateway.

Entebbe International Airport is Uganda’s principal international airport and a major entry and exit point for passengers, tourists, investors and cargo. Its infrastructure plays an important role in supporting the country’s aviation sector, international trade and tourism industry.

The alleged vandalism has therefore raised questions about the security arrangements and internal accountability mechanisms responsible for safeguarding essential airport facilities.

The minister’s intervention is also expected to put pressure on relevant authorities to establish how the alleged vandalism occurred, identify those responsible and prevent similar incidents in the future.

However, details regarding the specific installations allegedly vandalised, the nature of the damage and the identities of the 11 suspects had not been made public by the time of publication.

It was also not immediately clear whether the suspects had already been arrested or when formal investigations and possible prosecutions would begin.

UCAA is yet to publicly provide a detailed account of the alleged incident and the measures being taken to address the concerns raised during the minister’s inspection.

The developments come amid renewed attention on the protection of strategic government infrastructure and the need for accountability among officials entrusted with public assets.