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Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has appointed former Ethiopian Airlines Group Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Girma Wake as interim CEO and advisor to Uganda Airlines, in a bid to stabilize the state-owned carrier amid leadership turmoil and mounting financial losses.
The appointment follows the resignation of Jennifer Bamuturaki, who stepped down as CEO after a period marked by governance disputes, operational challenges, and questions about the airline’s long-term strategy. In a formal directive to Minister of Works and Transport General Katumba Wamala, Museveni instructed that Girma Wake assume executive authority on a temporary basis while also advising the government on restructuring the airline’s management framework.
According to the directive, Wake will lead Uganda Airlines until a permanent chief executive is selected, a process the government expects to complete by July 2026. He is also tasked with overseeing the recruitment and vetting of the next CEO, signaling Kampala’s intent to restore credibility and professional leadership at the carrier.
The 82-year-old aviation veteran is widely regarded as one of Africa’s most influential airline executives. During his tenure at Ethiopian Airlines, he played a central role in expanding the carrier into a profitable global network airline and establishing Addis Ababa as a major aviation hub. His track record has made him a frequent advisor to African governments seeking to build or reform national carriers.
Uganda Airlines, relaunched in 2019 after nearly two decades of dormancy, has struggled to achieve financial sustainability despite significant public investment. The airline operates a fleet that includes Airbus A330-800neo wide-body aircraft for long-haul routes and Bombardier CRJ900 jets for regional services. However, passenger volumes, route profitability, and cost management have remained persistent challenges.
Government officials have indicated that the appointment of Wake is intended to bring immediate operational discipline, resolve internal management conflicts, and chart a viable commercial strategy. The carrier has been reporting annual losses running into billions of Ugandan shillings, raising concerns among lawmakers and auditors about its fiscal impact on the state budget.
Analysts say Wake’s interim leadership could focus on optimizing the route network, improving fleet utilization, renegotiating supplier contracts, and strengthening corporate governance — steps commonly used in airline turnarounds. His presence may also reassure international partners, lenders, and aircraft lessors wary of the airline’s instability.
The move underscores a broader trend across Africa, where governments frequently turn to veteran executives from established carriers such as Ethiopian Airlines to rescue struggling national airlines. Ethiopian Airlines itself has previously provided management support or equity participation to carriers in Malawi, Zambia, and Togo.
For Uganda, the stakes extend beyond commercial performance. The government views a national airline as a strategic asset for tourism, trade connectivity, and regional influence. Whether Wake can lay the groundwork for a sustainable turnaround within a limited interim mandate will be closely watched by investors, policymakers, and the aviation industry across the continent.
