Museveni sets Uganda Airlines CEO job recruitment deadline as Ethiopia’s Girma Wake take charge of national carrier
In a letter dated 13th February 2026 and addressed to Gen. Katumba Wamala, the minister of works and transport, the President said the appointment is aimed at rectifying “a number of management weaknesses in the airline.”
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has directed the Minister of Works and Transport, Katumba Wamala, to appoint veteran aviation executive Girma Wake as Consultant and Acting Chief Executive Officer of Uganda Airlines, citing the need to address management weaknesses at the national carrier.
In a letter dated 13th February 2026 and addressed to Gen. Katumba Wamala, the minister of works and transport, the President said the appointment is aimed at rectifying “a number of management weaknesses in the airline.”
Under the directive, Wake will serve as Consultant/Advisor and Acting CEO until a substantive Chief Executive Officer is appointed by July 2026. The President noted that the timeline for appointing a new CEO had earlier been agreed upon.
Wake is expected to work closely with the Board of Uganda Airlines during the transition period to strengthen leadership and management systems at the airline.
The President also directed that the current CEO, Jenifer Bamuturaki, step aside immediately and hand over office to Wake and the Board. He instructed the Board to organize and process any emoluments due to her in accordance with her contractual entitlements.
The directive signals a significant leadership transition at Uganda Airlines as government moves to stabilize and reposition the national carrier.
