President Yoweri Museveni has ordered a major leadership overhaul at Uganda Airlines, directing the immediate removal of Chief Executive Officer Jenifer Bamuturaki.
In a letter dated February 13, 2026, addressed to the Minister of Works and Transport, Katumba Wamala, the president cited “leadership and management weaknesses” at the national carrier as the reason for the abrupt change. Bamuturaki, who had led the airline since 2022, was instructed to step aside immediately and hand over her responsibilities to the board and the newly appointed interim head.
The directive further requires the airline’s board to organize and settle all her outstanding emoluments, including severance pay and other contractual dues.
To oversee the transition, Museveni appointed veteran aviation executive Girma Wake as both consultant/advisor and Acting CEO. Wake, best known for his tenure as CEO of Ethiopian Airlines from 2004 to 2011, is widely credited with transforming the airline into one of Africa’s most successful and globally competitive carriers. He has also previously chaired the board of RwandAir and continued to serve in senior leadership roles within Ethiopian Airlines in later years.
His appointment follows a meeting with Museveni at State House Entebbe earlier this month. Wake has been tasked with addressing operational inefficiencies, governance concerns, and managerial shortcomings at Uganda Airlines, working closely with the board during the interim period. A substantive CEO is expected to be appointed by July 2026.
The shake-up comes amid sustained scrutiny of the state-owned airline. Despite reported growth in passenger and cargo numbers highlighted in parliamentary reviews, Uganda Airlines has struggled with recurring financial losses, procurement controversies, and broader concerns about governance and sustainability.
Reactions to the leadership change have been mixed. Some observers view Wake’s extensive experience as a strategic move to stabilize and reform the airline, while others question the interim arrangement and the deeper structural challenges facing the carrier.
Ultimately, the president’s direct intervention signals the government’s determination to steer Uganda Airlines toward improved stability, accountability, and competitiveness within the regional aviation market.
