Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni G5 Jet
Donors halted aid to Uganda after the acquisition
Museveni’s was using a G4 before acquiring a G5
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni is loved and loathed in almost equal measure. He is a man who freely speaks his mind and doesn’t mind ‘meddling’ in the affairs of neighboring countries. The strongman doesn’t entertain criticism as singer turned politician Bobi Wine real name Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu-and others before him- found out. And like most leaders in undeveloped countries, Yoweri Museveni has been faulted for having his priorities all upside down. Although he has brought stability in his country, the dictator has a knack for avarice like his acquisition of a jet worth millions as his countrymen wallow in wanton poverty. We take a look at his presidential plane, its features and how much it cost.
Model of Yoweri Museveni Plane
Until 2009, Yoweri Museveni used a Gulf Stream 4 which was acquired in 2000. MPs on the presidential affairs committee approved the purchase of his current top of the range Gulfstream G550 in 2007 after faulting the previous model safety features. At the time, the committee chair Mary Karooro told the local daily that the £16m Gulfstream 4 was “a threat to the president’s security”.
New Model Gulfsteam G550
Ugandan taxpayers had to cough £30m for their president’s private jet after convincing MPs that the G4 was no longer in production and the country had no capacity to stock spare parts. Donors raised a furor accusing the dictator of wastage and went ahead to withdraw aid. Lord Ashcroft-who unearthed the purchase said at the time:
‘The UK needs to be very careful before giving budgetary support to avoid extravagance such as this. It is simply a joke. We must make sure these things do not happen again as they appeared to happen too easily under Labour.’
Features of the Gulfstream G5
The dictator private jet has a range of nearly 7,800 miles and reaches a maximum altitude of 51,000 feet.
The jet is powered by two Rolls Royce turbofan engine with a combined thrust of just above 30,770 pounds.
Has a capacity of 19 passengers or offer sleeping accommodations for upto eight passengers.
Every seat is equipped with an audio/video display
Two pilots operate the G5
Settings can be controlled via iphone app Next
