Uganda Police has announced the decision to sell their fixed-wing aircraft, PI80 Piaggio Avanti II Evo that was acquired in June 2019 at a cost of USD 7.840.000.

According to Police Spokesperson Fred Enanga, the decision to sell this aircraft comes after it failed to provide effective services due to the lack of tarmacked runways in many parts of Uganda. Enanga said that during the year of 2023, the Uganda Police Airwing using the 3 Helicopters, responded to multiple incidents in the Karamoja region, the Rwenzori region and the cities of Kampala, Jinja, Hoima, Mbarara, Lira, Gulu, Soroti, Arua among others, which makes it an integral and essential part of policing in the country.

Enanga confirmed that the Fixed wing PI80 Piaggio Avanti II that was acquired in June 2019, at a cost of USD 7.840.000, did not achieve any positive outcome, yet it has the capacity of remaining airborne for up to 8 hours while providing aerial support and the Aircraft parts are very expensive given the nature and category of luxury.

Police said the plans to replace this aircraft have started, several types of aircrafts have been reviewed, with manufacturers and in total consideration of the aircraft possible loads and operations of the Uganda Police.