President Yoweri Museveni has tasked former Ethiopian Airlines CEO Girma Wake with an interim role to oversee Uganda Airlines ahead of a formal recruitment.
Mr Wake will temporarily step into the position after Jennifer Bamuturaki, who has been serving as CEO of Uganda’s national carrier, continues to face backlash over gross mismanagement.
His appointment comes as the airline continues to face operational and financial challenges since resuming commercial operations in 2019.
State Minister for Youth and Children Affairs, Balaam Byaruhagara, said that Mr Wake met President Museveni at State House Entebbe on the evening of Monday 2nd, 2026 ahead of formally assuming his duties.
“The President tasked the new CEO with stabilizing the airline and improving its operational performance,” Balaam said.
Mr Wake led Ethiopian Airlines between 2004 and 2011, a period during which the carrier expanded its fleet, routes, and international partnerships, strengthening its position as Africa’s largest airline by revenue and network reach.
According to Balaam, the decision to appoint an expatriate executive reflects a strategy to bring in external expertise to accelerate reforms at Uganda Airlines, which has struggled with route profitability, aircraft utilisation, and financial sustainability.
Uganda Airlines was relaunched in 2019 after a 19-year hiatus and operates regional and select international routes using a fleet of Airbus A320neo and Bombardier CRJ900 aircraft. The airline is fully owned by the Government of Uganda.
Mr Wake is expected to review the airline’s management structure, route network, and financial model as part of a broader turnaround strategy. No official timeline has been given for the transition.
The Ministry of Works and Transport and the Uganda Airlines board are expected to formally communicate further details regarding the handover and the future role of the outgoing CEO.
