Tooro Leaders Defend Ousted Uganda Airlines CEO Amidst Leadership Overhaul
Leaders from the Tooro sub-region have expressed strong disappointment following the removal of Jenifer Bamuturaki as Chief Executive Officer of Uganda Airlines, stating that criticism of her qualifications and performance has been unjust.
The reaction comes after President Yoweri Museveni reportedly oversaw her ouster as part of a major leadership shake-up at the state-owned carrier, aimed at addressing governance concerns and persistent financial losses.
Fort Portal Central MP, Hon. Alex Ruhunda, emerged as a vocal defender, challenging claims that Bamuturaki lacked the requisite qualifications. Speaking to Crooze FM, Ruhunda emphasized their personal acquaintance, noting they studied together at Kyebambe Girls for O-Level.
“This lady is well known to us and to me personally. I studied with her. I know she studied at Kyebambe Girls for O’Level, then Nabisunsa, and later went on to university. For people to claim she has no qualifications is very disheartening and untrue,” Ruhunda stated.
He further asserted the integrity of professionals from Tooro, saying, “When they are given a chance to work, they work with one heart they are not corrupt.”
Bamuturaki’s exit follows a period of intense scrutiny. Sources indicate the decision was finalized after a tense State House meeting in September 2025, where disputed aircraft procurement, recurring audit warnings, and mounting losses were discussed. The President is said to have lost confidence in the management, directing that the CEO position be openly advertised.
The airline’s board has since notified staff of the decision to re-advertise the role, a move seen as part of broader stabilization efforts. Bamuturaki herself confirmed the development in an internal email, encouraging qualified staff to apply.
Her tenure was marred by controversy, including ongoing criminal investigations led by the Police’s Criminal Investigations Directorate and the State House Anti-Corruption Unit. The probe focuses on allegations of abuse of office, embezzlement, and false accounting, with investigators demanding extensive financial and procurement records from the airline.
While some stakeholders have welcomed the leadership change as necessary for reform, Tooro leaders maintain that Bamuturaki’s contributions and credentials deserve a fair and fact-based assessment.
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