The financial crisis at the Soroti-based East African Civil Aviation Academy has forced the school to suspend flight operations.
The financial crisis at the Soroti-based East African Civil Aviation Academy has forced the school to suspend flight operations.
The school has for the last one month been forced to ground seven planes after failing to pay more than 100 million shillings it owes companies that supply it with aviation fuel or Avgas.
The development has left the students redundant for more than a month. It adds to the list of woes for the students, who have spent more than one year staying in lodges around town. The management last year closed down the school hostels to pave way for renovation and opted to hire lodges around Soroti town.
The school also faces another problem from instructors who are reportedly on a sit-down strike over salary arrears of over three months.
The school’s Cessna 310 planes have been grounded for more than six months awaiting servicing.
Bernard Wandera, the school’s acting director could not be reached on his known cell phone numbers.
But Alexander Okuron, the Guild President of the School who sounded guarded in his statement said the situation is getting to normal after the ministry of works promised to send Avgas. He also says a majority of students have since returned to stay at the school dormitories.
Okuron says less than thirty students are still staying in lodges around Soroti town.
Okuron however declined to discuss the woes that have bedeviled the school which attracts students from the five East African countries.
Students of the Academy pay 18,000 US dollars to study a two year pilot course leading to an award of a certificate, which is recognized by aviation industries worldwide.
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