President Museveni Appoints Aviation Veteran to Steer Uganda Airlines Through Crisis
In a decisive move to address ongoing turmoil, President Yoweri Museveni has appointed Girma Wake, the former Chief Executive Officer of Ethiopian Airlines, as the interim head of Uganda Airlines. This development follows the resignation of former CEO Jennifer Bamuturaki, who stepped down amid multiple investigations into allegations of mismanagement and embezzlement at the national carrier.
The appointment was confirmed following a meeting at State House Entebbe on February 4, where President Museveni convened with Wake and senior pilot Robert Kateera. In a post on the social media platform X, the President stated, “I met Mr Girma Wake the former CEO of Ethiopian Airlines alongside Mr Robert Kateera at State House today. We discussed matters regarding air transport among other issues.”
Wake’s mandate is to conduct a rapid assessment of the airline’s staff and operations, recommend a new permanent management team, and implement immediate measures to stabilize the company. He will serve in this interim capacity until a substantive CEO is recruited.
The state-owned airline, which was revived in 2019 after a two-decade hiatus with a government investment of nearly $270 million, has struggled to achieve profitability. Last year, it reported heavy losses of $62.4 million, despite recording some growth in revenue. These financial woes have intensified calls from industry analysts and government officials for a complete operational overhaul, with many pointing to the highly successful, profit-driven model of Ethiopian Airlines as a blueprint for reform.
The choice of a foreign aviation expert has sparked debate within Uganda. Supporters argue that Wake’s proven track record in building Ethiopian Airlines into Africa’s largest and most profitable carrier brings the necessary expertise and discipline needed to rescue the struggling airline. Critics, however, question the long-term strategy of relying on external leadership for a national symbol.
As the interim leader begins his work, the focus will be on whether his recommendations can chart a credible path to financial sustainability and restore confidence in Uganda’s national carrier.
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