Uganda Airlines Chief Executive Jenifer Bamuturaki has stepped down from her role under pressure with President Museveni said to be considering appointing a former Ethiopian Airlines chief executive to lead the national carrier, according to sources familiar with the decision.
The Nile Post understands Mr Museveni, who last month ordered investigations into mismanagement of the airline, has decided to shake up its management entirely.
The move signals a broad leadership reset at Uganda Airlines, with the President said to be keen on installing a new management team capable of steering the airline through internal challenges and positioning it for long-term sustainability.
Sources say Museveni wants a leadership team that can operate without internal friction or political interference as the airline seeks to realise its commercial and strategic potential.
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Mr Girma Wake, who ran the Ethiopian Airlines between 2004 and 2011 as chief executive and later chaired its board, is said to be the man being seen as one to rely on to fly the national carrier further.
Bamuturaki's exit had earlier been hinted at in an internal email she sent to staff, in which she informed employees that the airline's board would soon advertise the position of Chief Executive 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 form would be published on the airline's website.
The communication effectively confirmed that her tenure at the helm of the national carrier was coming to an end and that a formal recruitment process was imminent.
Her departure comes after a period of sustained scrutiny. In 2024, Bamuturaki appeared before Parliament's Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises, where she was asked to present her academic documents as part of the committee's oversight of public entities.
While the appearance generated significant public debate, Uganda Airlines continued operating under her leadership until the latest decision.
The Uganda Airlines board has not yet issued a standalone public statement on the dismissal, but the internal communication to staff suggests that transition arrangements are already underway. The recruitment of a new chief executive is expected to be conducted through an open process.
The prospect of appointing a former Ethiopian Airlines chief executive reflects government's interest in drawing from established African aviation leadership.
Ethiopian Airlines is widely regarded as the continent's most successful carrier, with a strong record in operational efficiency, fleet expansion, and profitability.
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For staff at Uganda Airlines, the impending vacancy presents both uncertainty and opportunity, as internal candidates are expected to be allowed to compete for the position.
For the wider public, the leadership change marks another critical moment for the national carrier, which has in recent years balanced ambitious expansion plans with financial pressures and governance scrutiny.
The timing of the appointment and whether the next chief executive will be drawn from within Uganda Airlines or from outside the organisation is yet to be announced.
However, government sources indicate that a decision is expected in the coming weeks as authorities push to stabilise the airline's leadership and chart a clearer path forward.
