Reports Leo Odera Omolo In Kampala City
UGANDA has strongly denied that there were plans to buy the Russian-made latest jet fighter planes with its oil.
Defense Minister Crispus Kiyonga in a rejoinder report published by the semi-government-owned NEWVISION this morning dismissed the reports that his country was planning a deal to swap oil for Russian jet fighters.
“There is no discussion at all about swapping. In any case, there is no Russian company prospecting for oil in Uganda,” Kiyonga said.
The speculation about the alleged deal was sparked off by a report by the state-owned radio, the Voice of Russian, which on Monday quoted Moscow military-diplomatic source as saying that Uganda was planning to sign an agreement for the purchase of six Su-30 fighter planes and pay for them with oil money.
The report provoked a sharp reaction from three ministries, namely Defense, Energy and information.
“Since Uganda is short of real money to pay for the planes, Russian Lukoil Company is negotiating its potential participation in developing large oilfield in Uganda, implying a possible swapping,” the radio reported.
A reputable Russian newspaper, VEDOMPSTI, went further saying, the state-owned arms exporter, Rosoboronexport had signed two contracts worth USD 1.2 billion for the delivery of six jet fighters to Uganda and another 16 to Algeria.”
Defense Chief Kiyonga termed the report “lopsided “and preposterous since Uganda had not yet started oil production.
“We don’t know how much commercial oil will come out and when. How can you get goods and said you wait until we produce oil? It doesn’t make sense, said the Minister.
The Minister disclosed that the government talked to the Russian Embassy in Kampala on Monday and lodged complaint about the way sensitive security issues had been handled by Moscow.
“We had called them and told them that this is not the way to deal with sensitive security matters,” he said, adding that he would make a statement in Parliament later today in the afternoon about the issue.
On Monday, army spokesman Lt.Col Felix Kulayigye said there had been discussions’ between Ugandan and Russian officials about the war planes, but the cost was considered too high.
“We had negotiations with Russians over the jet fighters, but upon realizing that the cost was too high, we decided otherwise. We never entered into an agreement with them,” he said.
Instead he said, the Uganda Air-force decided to send its six ageing MIG-21fighter planes back to Russian for engine overhauls about two weeks ago. He did not, however, disclose at what cost.
The Su-30 fighter planes is a two seater, multi-role fighter, capable of accomplishing a wide variety of combat mission within a range of 3,000 km in any weather condition, both by day and night.
The task that this jet can perform, according to an expert account, ranges from air defenses, air control and escort to ground attack, suppression of enemy air defenses and maritime attack.
Earlier on Monday, the Energy Minister Hellen Onek denied any knowledge of the oil for jet deal. That’s new to me. We have never had any such negotiation
“As far as I know, we have not negotiated with any of the Russian companies as reported,” she said.
At the same time, the Information minister Kabakumba Miako re-assured the nation that the proceeds from oil revenue would be used only for long term infrastructure development projects.
“One thing that should be clear is that money is not in any way going to be used for recurrent expenditure like these. It is going to be use for solid permanent infrastructure like roads, energy, science and technology,” She said.
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