President Yoweri Museveni, in his capacity as Commander in Chief of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF)

“The problem of Africa as summarized by the African Union was that Africans were producing what they did not consume and consuming what they didn’t produce. You find Africans producing cotton but some of them are going naked without clothes,” Museveni said after the commissioning.

Museveni said import substitution and export promotion would cure the Defense Service of using equipment which is not made in Uganda.

This facility, he added, was part of the solution as it will: “maintain, repair, overhaul and in the future upgrade will go a long way in saving costs.”

According to Museveni, the helicopter maintenance, repair and overhaul plant will help Uganda save over 3.5 million US dollars, previously outlaid on transportation and overhauling a single helicopter outside Uganda.

Maj Gen Sabiiti Muzeyi, the General Manager of Luwero Industries Limited (LIL), a subsidiary of National Enterprise Corporation (NEC), said this plant was a next-level development and was now operational.

“The UPDAF (Uganda People’s Defence Air Force) attached its technical personnel to the facility (in the field of Mechanics-Engine and Airframe; Avionics-Radio/Radar, Instruments and Electrical system, Armament-Electrical and Mechanical systems, Ground Support Equipment and in Quality Control and Quality Assurance). The first batch of 15 is already deployed at the facility and carrying out the overhaul of the first Mi-24 under the supervision of expatriates but in the long run we shall do all this work by ourselves. I thank the Commander Air Force for all the support he has given to this Project,” he said.

Gen. Sabiiti said the ministry of defence will now save on costs of handling and freight.

“A huge saving will be made on the costs currently incurred by the Ministry of Defence/UPDF on clearing, handling and freight of the helicopters to repair stations abroad which is not less than USD$1,200,000 one way, for each helicopter. For example, the helicopter currently being worked on in the hangar here was recently ferried to the Nakasongola Facility just on a low loader at a cost of just USD 520 equivalent,” he revealed.

The helicopter maintenance, repair and overhaul plant will help Uganda save over 3.5 million US dollars spent on repairing a single helicopter abroad. Pulse Live Uganda

Valari Copcin, the Chief Executive Officer Pro-heli international services, said the plant is the first of its kind in sub-Saharan Africa and will efficiently handle major repairs, service and overhaul of Mi-18, Mi-9 and Mi-24 helicopters.

“This facility being commissioned today is able to do major repairs, service and overhaul of Mi-17 (Mi-8) and Mi-24 helicopters. This in turn saves the country loss of money in transportation and general turnaround time,” he said.

Adding to the glowing praise of the plant, the Commander UPDF Airforce Lt. Gen. Charles Lutaaya noted that aircraft maintenance is largely very expensive. However, he added, this plant will reduce that cost while ensuring timely time repair of aircraft. This will, in turn, reduce wastage to enhance the air force’s combat readiness.

“Assets will no longer be grounded for long periods due to lack of spares and technical expertise input as this can be now sourced from the maintenance, overhaul and repair expertise,” Lutaaya said.

On the economic front, the Chief of Defense Forces Gen Wilson Mbadi said the plant will serve as a boon to the economy as aircrafts from the region will be serviced at the facility, at a fee.

“I want therefore to thank your excellency on behalf of the UPDF for continuously guiding us to help us build a formidable force in the region,” Gen Mbadi added.