Uganda Airlines Chief Executive Jenifer Bamuturaki has resigned from her position, a move attributed to sustained pressure from President Yoweri Museveni. According to sources familiar with the decision, President Museveni is considering appointing former Ethiopian Airlines Chief Executive Girma Wake to lead the national carrier.
The development follows President Museveni’s directive last month for investigations into alleged mismanagement at the airline. Sources indicate the president has decided on a comprehensive management overhaul to address internal challenges and ensure long-term sustainability. The intended leadership change is aimed at installing a team capable of operating without internal friction or political interference, thereby unlocking the airline’s commercial and strategic potential.
The transition process was formally initiated in an internal email from Bamuturaki to staff, which stated that the board would soon advertise the CEO position and encouraged qualified internal candidates to apply. This communication effectively confirmed the end of her tenure and signalled an imminent formal recruitment process.
Bamuturaki’s departure comes after a period of scrutiny. In 2024, she appeared before Parliament’s Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE), where she was questioned about her academic credentials as part of broader oversight of state-owned enterprises. While the appearance sparked public debate, she continued to lead the airline until this latest decision.
The Uganda Airlines board has not issued a public statement regarding the dismissal, though the internal memo suggests transition arrangements are underway. The recruitment for a new chief executive is expected to be conducted through an open process.
The potential appointment of Girma Wake, who led Ethiopian Airlines from 2004 to 2011 and later chaired its board, reflects a strategic interest in leveraging established African aviation expertise. Ethiopian Airlines is widely recognised as the continent’s most successful carrier, noted for operational efficiency, fleet expansion, and consistent profitability.
For Uganda Airlines staff, the vacancy introduces both uncertainty and opportunity, as internal candidates are anticipated to be permitted to compete. For the public, the leadership change marks a pivotal moment for the national carrier, which has balanced ambitious growth with financial pressures and governance concerns in recent years.
The timing of a final appointment and whether the next CEO will be an internal or external candidate remains unannounced. Government sources, however, suggest a decision is expected in the coming weeks as authorities seek to stabilise leadership and define a clearer strategic path for the airline.
