President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has directed the immediate appointment of Ethiopian aviation expert Girma Wake as Consultant and Acting Chief Executive Officer of Uganda Airlines, citing persistent leadership and management weaknesses within the national carrier.
In a formal directive dated February 13, 2026, and addressed to the Minister of Works and Transport, Gen. Katumba Wamala, the President instructed that Mr. Wake be appointed to support the airline’s management and lead the company on an interim basis until a substantive CEO is appointed by July 2026.
“I hereby direct that you go ahead and appoint 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,” President Museveni wrote.
The President further directed that Mr. Wake work closely with the Board of Uganda Airlines throughout the transition period to stabilize operations and address institutional challenges facing the carrier.
In the same communication, President Museveni ordered the immediate stepping aside of the current Chief Executive Officer, Jenifer Bamuturaki, directing that she hand over to Mr. Wake and the airline’s Board without delay.
“I also direct that the current Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Ms. Jenifer Bamuturaki, be enabled to step aside immediately and handover to Mr. Girma Wake and the Board of Uganda Airlines,” the President stated.
He further instructed the Board to organize and settle any emoluments due to the outgoing CEO in accordance with her contractual obligations.
The directive signals a decisive intervention by the Head of State in the leadership of the national carrier, as government seeks to strengthen governance, restore operational efficiency, and prepare Uganda Airlines for long-term stability under new substantive leadership.
Uganda Airlines is Uganda’s national flag carrier, wholly owned by the Government of Uganda. The airline was revived in 2019 after an 18-year absence, following the collapse of the original Uganda Airlines in 2001.
The revival was part of government’s broader strategy to strengthen national connectivity, reduce dependence on foreign carriers, and support tourism, trade, and investment.
Uganda Airlines operates from Entebbe International Airport and runs both regional and long-haul routes. Its fleet includes Bombardier CRJ900 aircraft for regional operations and Airbus A330-800neo aircraft for intercontinental flights.
The airline plays a critical role in:Supporting Uganda’s tourism and export sectors, Providing direct international connections, Enhancing national prestige and sovereignty in aviation .
Since its revival, Uganda Airlines has faced recurring challenges, including: High operational and maintenance costs, Limited route profitability, Dependence on government funding, Governance and management concerns raised by oversight institutions
These concerns have periodically attracted scrutiny from Parliament, auditors, and State House, leading to calls for leadership reforms and operational restructuring.
The latest intervention by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni reflects government’s determination to stabilize the airline and prepare it for long-term sustainability under new leadership.
Girma Wake , Acting Chief Executive Officer is a seasoned aviation professional with extensive experience in airline management, restructuring, and strategic transformation.
He previously served as Chief Executive Officer of Ethiopian Airlines, where he was instrumental in strengthening corporate governance and expanding the airline’s regional and global footprint.
Wake is widely regarded within the African aviation sector as an expert in: Airline turnaround strategies, Corporate governance,
Fleet and route optimization, Reforming state-owned carriers
His appointment as Acting CEO and Consultant places him at the center of Uganda Airlines’ transition, with a mandate to address leadership weaknesses and prepare the airline for a substantive CEO by July 2026.
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni met with Ethiopian aviation veteran Girma Wake at State House, Entebbe on 4 February 2026, where they discussed matters related to aviation and the national carrier ahead of his appointment to help oversee Uganda Airlines .During that meeting Museveni and Wake (joined by Ugandan pilot Robert Kateera) discussed issues around air transport and the management challenges facing the national carrier.
In a social media post after the meeting, Museveni described Wake as “one of the finest aviation minds on the African continent,” noting his long experience at Ethiopian Airlines and congratulating him on his involvement in guiding Uganda Airlines.