Kampala, Uganda: Former minister and aviation expert Francis Babu has warned that removing the chief executive officer of Uganda Airlines will not, on its own, resolve the national carrier’s deep-rooted problems, calling instead for the establishment of a specialised, technically competent task force to overhaul the airline.
Speaking to journalists from his offices in Kampala on February 3, 2026, Capt. Babu said the carrier’s challenges are structural and strategic, dating back to its relaunch in 2019, and therefore demand reforms that go far beyond changes at the top.
“A change of the CEO alone is not a solution,” Babu said amid uncertainty surrounding leadership at the national carrier. “What Uganda Airlines needs is a small, highly skilled task force with experience in aviation operations, fleet management and route planning to revamp the national carrier.”
His remarks follow disclosures by State Minister for Transport Fred Byamukama, who told the media that the decision to relieve former CEO Jennifer Bamuturaki was taken in June 2025 after an internal board probe uncovered what he described as “massive rot” within the airline.
Byamukama said several other senior managers are also expected to be dismissed and may face prosecution following the audit. The developments came into sharper focus after Bamuturaki circulated an internal email to staff on Monday, indicating that the board would soon advertise the CEO position, effectively confirming the end of her tenure.
Uganda Airlines was revived in 2019 as Uganda’s flag carrier after decades of absence, with government positioning it as a strategic tool to boost tourism, trade and national prestige. However, the airline has since grappled with persistent financial losses, operational disruptions and internal management disputes.
Capt. Babu argued that many of the airline’s current difficulties were baked in at inception, pointing to weak strategic choices that undermined competitiveness in the regional aviation market. “These gaps cannot be solved by credentialism,” he said. “You fix an airline with experience, technical knowledge and an understanding of how airlines actually work.”
He cited the airline’s small fleet size and high maintenance costs as major operational constraints, urging management to prioritise aircraft leasing over outright ownership to improve flexibility and cost control. “With the current fleet, maintenance costs are extremely high,” Babu said.
“Leasing aircraft would significantly reduce these costs and give the airline flexibility as it grows.”
Babu also advised Uganda Airlines to refocus on profitable regional routes before pursuing further expansion, noting that short-haul regional traffic offers more predictable passenger volumes.
“You must understand and prioritise regional routes first. That is where consistent passenger traffic is, and that is how airlines in this region survive and grow,” he said.
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