KAMPALA: State House is in negotiations with a German company to procure a new presidential jet for president Museveni.
The current Gulf Stream V will be sold to top up and acquire a sophisticated Gulfstream G650 that costs over $60m. “The negotiations are almost done,” the government source said.
The current presidential jet cost government $40m in 2011. It was purchased to replace a Gulfstream IV which was bought at Shs60 billion in 2000.
It’s not clear how much the current one will be sold but sources say the new jet to be procured is needed to reduce on stopovers the president makes when on long flights.
This planned procurement may cause a backlash from the opposition who think this is unnecessary expenditure for a poor country like Uganda.
Functions of Gulfstream G650
At a long-range cruise speed of Mach 0.85, the Gulfstream G650 flies 7,000 nautical miles/12,964 kilometers nonstop with eight passengers.
Its interior design
An 8 foot 6 inch /2.59 meter-wide cabin, the largest in its class, helps create an exquisitely comfortable environment for 18 passengers.
Sixteen large Gulfstream panoramic windows, each 28 by 20.5 inches/71 by 52 centimeters, allow abundant sunlight into the cabin, even in the galley. Every window has been repositioned higher on the fuselage to maximize viewing comfort.
