Museveni also ordered that Bamuturaki step aside immediately and formally hand over to Wake and the board.
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has directed the Minister of Works and Transport, Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala, to appoint veteran aviation executive Girma Wake as Acting Chief Executive Officer of Uganda Airlines, effectively relieving Jennifer Bamuturaki of her duties.
The directive follows a recent meeting at State House Entebbe between Museveni and Wake, the former chief executive and chairman of the Ethiopian Airlines Group. The President said the discussions centered on air transport and other related matters.
In a subsequent letter to Gen. Katumba, Museveni cited persistent leadership and management weaknesses within the national carrier. He instructed the minister to appoint Wake as a consultant and advisor to help rectify the airline’s managerial challenges.
According to the directive, Wake will serve as Acting CEO until a substantive chief executive is appointed by July 2026. He is expected to work closely with the airline’s board to stabilise operations and strengthen governance structures.
Museveni also ordered that Bamuturaki step aside immediately and formally hand over to Wake and the board. He directed that any emoluments due to her be processed accordingly.
Investigations and Financial Scrutiny
The leadership shake-up comes as Uganda Airlines faces investigations over alleged abuse of office, embezzlement, and false accounting. The probes are being conducted jointly by the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) and the State House Anti-Corruption Unit.
Investigators have reportedly requested certified copies of key documents, including the National Airline Business and Implementation Plan, the 2024/2025 budget, and Contracts Committee minutes authorising the purchase of Boeing aircraft.
Procurement records linked to Mihmet Flight Support Services, Associated Energy Group, Nyanzi Tours and Travel, and Aircraft Leasing Services (ALS) Limited have also been sought. Additional documentation requested includes files on the construction of the airline’s offices in Entebbe, the internal audit report for the 2024/2025 financial year, revenue accounting and ticketing data, fuel expenditure transactions, and records relating to the launch of the airline’s London route.
Operational Disruptions and Public Frustration
The investigations coincide with mounting public criticism following operational disruptions at Entebbe International Airport. Passengers have reported missed flights, repeated rescheduling, and limited communication from airline staff, with images circulating online showing stranded travellers at check-in counters.
In a December 13 statement, Uganda Airlines acknowledged the disruptions and said efforts were underway to restore normal schedules. However, passengers continued to voice frustration over repeated cancellations and delays, including flights to Zanzibar.
Sources attributed some of the instability to capacity constraints within the airline’s Airbus A330-800neo fleet. The carrier later confirmed that technical challenges affecting certain aircraft had contributed to the delays and cancellations, adding that corrective measures were being implemented.
Bamuturaki apologised to affected passengers, noting that the airline’s seven-aircraft fleet leaves little room for operational flexibility.
“With a fleet of seven aircraft, grounding one or two for maintenance or technical checks inevitably affects the entire network,” she said.
She rejected online claims that long-haul aircraft had been stranded in destinations such as London and Lagos, maintaining that international operations remained functional despite scheduling pressures. She also cited broader industry challenges, including Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs), which can limit airport slot availability and complicate recovery during disruptions.
Debate Over the Airline’s Future
The developments have reignited debate over the airline’s performance and long-term sustainability. Commentators have pointed to the need for stronger oversight and improved operational discipline, while aviation analysts caution that airlines with small fleets are especially vulnerable to technical setbacks, particularly amid global supply-chain delays affecting aircraft parts and maintenance.
Despite the turbulence, Uganda Airlines says its immediate focus remains on stabilising operations, restoring passenger confidence, and cooperating with regulators as scrutiny intensifies over both its financial and operational management.