President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has directed the immediate restructuring of the leadership at Uganda Airlines, appointing veteran aviation executive Girma Wake as Acting Chief Executive Officer and ordering the current CEO, Jenifer Bamuturaki, to step aside.
In a letter dated February 13, 2026, addressed to the Minister of Works and Transport, Gen. Katumba Wamala, the President cited “current leadership and management weaknesses” within the national carrier as the basis for the decision.
Museveni directed that Girma Wake be appointed as a Consultant/Advisor to help rectify a number of management gaps at the airline. He will also serve as Acting CEO until a substantive Chief Executive Officer is appointed by July 2026.
“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. In addition, he is to serve as Acting CEO until we appoint a new CEO by July, 2026,” the President wrote.
According to the directive, Wake will work closely with the Board of Uganda Airlines during the transition period.
The President further instructed that Bamuturaki be enabled to step aside immediately and hand over office to Wake and the Board. He also directed the Board to organize and settle any emoluments due to her.
The latest move signals renewed efforts by State House to stabilize the airline’s management amid growing scrutiny over governance and operational challenges at the carrier.
Uganda Airlines, which was revived in 2019 as part of government efforts to boost national connectivity and trade, has in recent months faced mounting criticism over its financial performance and internal management concerns.
With Wake’s appointment, attention now turns to how quickly the airline can implement reforms and position itself for stronger operational and financial footing ahead of the appointment of a substantive CEO later this year.
