Kampala, Uganda: President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on Wednesday held high-level talks with veteran Ethiopian aviation executive Girma Wake over an interim leadership role at Uganda Airlines, as the national carrier moves to recruit a substantive chief executive following the exit of Jennifer Bamuturaki.
“I met Mr Girma Wake, the former CEO of Ethiopian Airlines, alongside Mr Robert Kateera at State House today. We discussed matters regarding air transport among other issues,” Mr Museveni posted via his official X handle, just days after the sacking of former CEO Jennifer Bamuturaki.
Sources familiar with the meeting said Wake, 82, is expected to serve as interim executive and consultant, even as the Uganda Airlines Board hunts for a permanent CEO. The airline’s new job advert requires applicants to be below 60 years, a threshold Wake doesn’t meet, hence his role is understood to be transitional and advisory.
Wake’s appointment is subject to vetting scheduled for next week, after which he is expected to immediately engage management and participate in the process of identifying a substantive chief executive.
The Ethiopian expert’s involvement comes at a critical moment for Uganda Airlines, which has struggled to reconcile political expectations with commercial sustainability amid persistent losses and governance concerns.
Wake is widely credited with transforming Ethiopian Airlines into Africa’s most profitable and globally competitive airline during his tenure as CEO from 2004 to 2011, anchored on disciplined management, fleet modernisation and strategic route expansion.
Under his leadership, Ethiopian Airlines strengthened its position within the Star Alliance, introduced modern wide-body aircraft, expanded intercontinental routes and implemented corporate governance systems designed to insulate operations from political interference.
Sources said Wake is expected to assemble his own interim team, assess internal capacity and recommend a new management structure, including candidates for top leadership, after evaluating qualifications and operational gaps.
“His brief is to stabilise, restore professionalism and rebuild confidence—internally and externally,” a source said, adding that Wake’s recommendations will shape the airline’s next phase.
Revived in 2019, Uganda Airlines was positioned as a strategic instrument to boost tourism, trade and national prestige. Significant public investment saw the acquisition of Bombardier CRJ900s and Airbus A330-800neos, with Entebbe promoted as a regional hub.
However, the carrier has since recorded persistent losses and faced criticism over governance, procurement and human resource management. Recent Auditor-General reports flagged uncontrolled salary structures, missing staff establishment frameworks and qualifications gaps among senior officials.
Bamuturaki’s tenure also attracted scrutiny from the Criminal Investigations Directorate and the State House Anti-Corruption Unit, intensifying pressure for leadership reset and tighter controls.
Wake’s potential stewardship is viewed by observers as a signal of renewed intent to professionalise operations, strengthen governance and restore credibility at the taxpayer-funded airline.
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