By Infora Media
Veteran aviation executive Girma Wake has stepped into an interim advisory role at Uganda Airlines at a time when the national carrier is seeking new leadership following the departure of its chief executive, Ms Jenifer Bamuturaki.
Mr. Wake met President Museveni at State House Entebbe yesterday (Wednesday) ahead of a vetting process scheduled for next week. Although Uganda Airlines has already advertised the position of substantive chief executive, Wake, 82, will temporarily support the airline’s leadership and participate in the recruitment of a permanent CEO.
His involvement comes at a critical juncture for the airline, which continues to grapple with financial losses and governance challenges. Wake is widely respected in the global aviation industry for his role in transforming Ethiopian Airlines into one of Africa’s most successful carriers through strong corporate governance, fleet modernization and disciplined commercial strategy.
During his tenure as chief executive of Ethiopian Airlines from 2004 to 2011, the carrier expanded its long-haul network, modernized its fleet with wide-body aircraft, and strengthened its position within the Star Alliance. The reforms introduced during this period are credited with insulating the airline from political interference and laying the foundation for sustained profitability.
Sources familiar with the matter say Wake is expected to review Uganda Airlines’ operational and management structures and may assemble a technical support team during his interim assignment. His assessment is expected to inform recommendations on the composition of a future management team, with emphasis placed on qualifications, experience and professional standards.
Uganda Airlines was relaunched in 2019 after nearly two decades, with government positioning it as a strategic national asset intended to support tourism growth, trade facilitation and regional connectivity. Substantial public investment was made in acquiring a modern fleet, including regional jets and wide-body aircraft to support long-haul operations from Entebbe.
Despite this investment, the airline has struggled to achieve financial sustainability. Auditor-General reports and investigations by state agencies have raised concerns over procurement processes, human resource management and governance compliance. Bamuturaki’s tenure was among those that attracted scrutiny from oversight bodies.
Industry observers say Wake’s interim role signals a renewed attempt to restore professional discipline and strengthen governance at the airline. Whether these efforts will translate into lasting commercial stability and improved performance remains a key test as Uganda Airlines charts its next phase.