By Infora Media
Uganda Airlines Chief Executive Officer Jenifer Bamuturaki has stepped down from her position amid a wider shake-up of the national carrier’s top management, with President Museveni reportedly considering appointing a former Ethiopian Airlines chief executive to lead the airline.
Sources familiar with the matter say the decision follows the President’s directive last month ordering investigations into alleged mismanagement at Uganda Airlines. The move signals a broader leadership reset as government seeks to stabilize the carrier and place it on a more sustainable commercial footing.
Mr. Girma Wake, who served as chief executive officer of Ethiopian Airlines between 2004 and 2011 and later chaired its board, is among the aviation executives reportedly being considered to guide Uganda Airlines through its next phase.
Bamuturaki’s impending exit had earlier been hinted at in an internal email to staff, in which she informed employees that the airline’s board would soon advertise the position of chief executive officer and encouraged qualified internal candidates to apply.
“The Board will advertise the position of Chief Executive Officer shortly, and you are all encouraged to apply if you meet the required qualifications,” the email read, adding that the job description and application forms would be published on the airline’s website.
The communication effectively signaled the end of her tenure and the commencement of a formal recruitment process.
Her departure follows a period of sustained public scrutiny. In 2024, Ms. Bamuturaki appeared before Parliament’s Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (Cosase), where she was asked to present her academic credentials as part of the committee’s oversight role. While the appearance generated public debate, she remained in office until the latest developments.
The Uganda Airlines board is yet to issue a formal public statement on her exit. However, the internal communication to staff suggests that transition arrangements are already underway, with the recruitment of a new chief executive expected to be conducted through an open and competitive process.
The possible appointment of a former Ethiopian Airlines chief executive underscores government’s interest in tapping into proven African aviation leadership. Ethiopian Airlines is widely regarded as the continent’s most successful carrier, with a strong track record in operational efficiency, fleet expansion and profitability.
For staff at Uganda Airlines, the anticipated vacancy presents both uncertainty and opportunity, as internal candidates are expected to compete alongside external applicants.
For the wider public, the leadership change marks a critical moment for the national carrier, which in recent years has pursued ambitious expansion plans while grappling with financial pressures and governance concerns.
Government sources indicate that a decision on the airline’s next chief executive is expected in the coming weeks, as authorities move to stabilize leadership at Uganda Airlines and chart a clearer path forward.