Written By | BK Mugizi
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President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has directed the immediate appointment of seasoned aviation executive Girma Wake as Consultant/Advisor and Acting Chief Executive Officer of Uganda Airlines, citing weaknesses in the airline’s leadership and management. In a February 13, 2026 letter addressed to the Minister of Works and Transport, Gen. Katumba Wamala, the President said the move was intended to address “the current leadership and management weaknesses in Uganda Airlines.”
“I hereby direct that you go ahead and appoint Mr. Girma Wake as a Consultant/Advisor to assist in rectifying a number of management weaknesses in the airline,” Museveni wrote.
Presidential letter appointing Girma Wake as acting CEO
The President added that Wake will serve as Acting CEO until a substantive chief executive is appointed by July 2026, a timeline he said had earlier been agreed upon with the board chairman, Ramadhan.
“In addition, he is to serve as Acting CEO until we appoint a new CEO by July 2026, as I had agreed with Ramadhan,” Museveni stated.
Wake is expected to work closely with the board during the transition period. The directive also orders the current CEO, Ms Jenifer Bamuturaki, to step aside immediately and hand over office.
“I also direct that the current Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Ms Jenifer Bamuturaki, be enabled to step aside immediately and hand over to Mr Girma Wake and the Board of Uganda Airlines. The Board should go ahead and organise whatever emoluments are due to her,” the President wrote.
Bamuturaki has been asked to step down
Bamuturaki’s tenure has recently come under scrutiny following allegations of financial mismanagement, irregular recruitment, and procurement concerns that have attracted attention from Parliament and anti-corruption agencies.
Lawmakers previously questioned aspects of her appointment and raised concerns about governance standards at the airline. She has denied any wrongdoing.
Wake, born on June 23, 1943, in Yeka District, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, brings decades of experience in the aviation industry. He served as Chief Executive Officer of Ethiopian Airlines from 2004 to 2011, overseeing significant expansion and growth. He later chaired the board of RwandAir from 2012 to 2017. In 2018, he rejoined Ethiopian Airlines as a board member and was elevated to chairman in 2022, serving until June 2023.
At the time of his departure, the airline credited him with making an “enormous” contribution to its growth and success. Wake’s appointment is seen as part of wider government efforts to stabilise Uganda Airlines, strengthen corporate governance, and restore public confidence in the national carrier.
Torch Media Africa
