President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has directed the immediate removal of Uganda Airlines Chief Executive Officer Jenifer Bamuturaki, replacing her with Ethiopian aviation consultant Girma Wake as Acting CEO in a sweeping leadership shakeup at the national carrier.
In a letter dated February 13, 2026, addressed to Minister of Works and Transport Gen. Katumba Wamala, President Museveni cited “current leadership and management weaknesses” at Uganda Airlines as the basis for the dramatic intervention.
“I hereby direct that you go ahead and appoint Mr. Girma Wake as a Consultant/Advisor to assist in rectifying a number of management weaknesses in the airline,” the President wrote. “In addition, he is to serve as Acting CEO until we appoint a new CEO by July, 2026.”
The President indicated that the appointment timeline had been agreed upon with an individual referred to as “Ramadhan” in the letter.
Museveni further directed that Bamuturaki “be enabled to step aside immediately and handover to Mr. Girma Wake and the Board of Uganda Airlines,” instructing the Board to “organize whatever emoluments are due to her” — a reference to any outstanding salary, benefits, or severance owed to the outgoing CEO.
Girma Wake, a well-known figure in African aviation, is a former CEO of Ethiopian Airlines who is widely credited with laying the groundwork for the airline’s transformation into Africa’s largest and most profitable carrier. His appointment signals the Ugandan government’s intention to draw on proven continental expertise to turn around the struggling airline.
Under the terms of the directive, Wake will work closely with the Uganda Airlines Board until a substantive CEO is permanently appointed, with a July 2026 deadline set for that process.
Uganda Airlines, which was revived in 2019 after the collapse of the original national carrier in 2001, has faced persistent challenges including financial losses, route viability concerns, and questions about its long-term sustainability. The leadership change suggests growing impatience at the highest levels of government with the airline’s performance under its previous management.
The Board of Uganda Airlines and the Ministry of Works and Transport have not yet issued public statements regarding the directive.
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