The Head of Engineering at Uganda Airlines, Peter Emuge, has assured the public that the CRJ Bombardier aircraft are still safe for travel, despite concerns over the availability of spare parts.

Speaking to Parliament’s Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE) on August 20, 2025, Emuge responded to claims raised in the Auditor General’s December 2024 report. He clarified that spare parts for the CRJ aircraft are still available, but delays in delivery and high costs have created challenges.

“Spare parts for the CRJ Bombardier jets are indeed available in the market. However, the challenge we face is that it usually takes over 300 days from the time we place an order to when the parts are delivered,” Emuge said. He also noted that middlemen often stockpile these parts and sell them at double the regular price, further increasing costs.

Earlier, Uganda Airlines CEO Jenifer Bamuturaki explained that maintenance had become more difficult and expensive after Bombardier stopped making CRJ aircraft. The manufacturer sold its commercial aircraft division to Mitsubishi, which no longer produces the CRJ model. As a result, the airline plans to retire its entire CRJ fleet.

Despite this, Emuge emphasized that the aircraft remain safe, and that the airline is doing its best to manage the long waiting times and price challenges linked to spare parts.

Uganda took delivery of two CRJ900 aircraft in 2019. They arrived at Entebbe Airport on April 23, 2019, received by engineer and former Minister Monica Azuba Ntege on behalf of the government. The choice of the Bombardier CRJ900 was made after careful evaluation, with the model seen as the best fit for regional travel at the time.

While the future of the CRJ aircraft in Uganda Airlines’ fleet remains uncertain, officials continue to assure the public of their safety and commitment to maintaining high operational standards.