President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has ordered the immediate removal of Jeniffer Bamuturaki from the management of Uganda Airlines.
In a directive dated February 13th, 2026, addressed to the Minister of Works and Transport, Katumba Wamala, the President cited current leadership and management weaknesses at the airline before outlining an urgent transition plan to stabilize operations.
Under the directive, Bamuturaki is required to step aside immediately and hand over office to the airline’s Board and veteran aviation executive Girma Wake, who has been appointed Consultant/Advisor and Acting Chief Executive Officer.
“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. In addition, he is to serve as Acting CEO until we appoint a new CEO by July, 2026,” Museveni said.
The President instructed the Board to organize any emoluments due to Bamuturaki following her exit. She has been at the helm of the airline since July 2022, initially serving in an acting capacity before her confirmation as substantive CEO.
The leadership changes come as Uganda Airlines faces investigations by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit and the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) over alleged abuse of office, embezzlement of funds, and false accounting.
In a January 7th, 2026 communication, CID confirmed it had opened investigations in liaison with the anti-corruption unit and requested a range of critical documents. These include the airline’s National Business and Implementation Plan, budget records for the 2024/2025 financial year, Contracts Committee minutes approving aircraft purchases, procurement files, internal audit reports, revenue statements, and fuel expenditure records.
The probe has heightened scrutiny over the airline’s governance and financial management at a time when it is seeking additional public funding.
Girma Wake, a seasoned aviation executive and former Chief Executive Officer of Ethiopian Airlines, is expected to bring extensive industry experience to the role as Acting CEO.
He previously served as Board Chairman of the airline and is widely credited with helping transform it into one of Africa’s leading carriers.
