Ugandan President Replaces Airline CEO with Former Ethiopian Airlines Executive

President Yoweri Museveni has appointed former Ethiopian Airlines chief executive Mr Girma Wake as consultant and acting Chief Executive Officer of Uganda Airlines, in a move aimed at addressing what he described as significant leadership and management weaknesses at the national carrier.

In a letter published on Monday and dated February 13, 2026, addressed to the Minister of Works and Transport, Gen Katumba Wamala, the President directed that Mr Wake be appointed as Consultant and Advisor to help rectify management gaps within the airline. He further instructed that Mr Wake serves as Acting CEO until a substantive chief executive is appointed, a process expected to be concluded by July 2026.

The directive also requires the current CEO, Ms Jenifer Bamuturaki, to step aside immediately and hand over operations to Mr Wake and the Board. In the letter, President Museveni stated that his appointment comes in the wake of current leadership and management weaknesses in Uganda Airlines. He is expected to assist in rectifying a number of management shortcomings at the airline.

The leadership change follows a period of intense scrutiny for Uganda Airlines, including investigations by the Auditor General and the State House Anti Corruption Unit into allegations of financial mismanagement and abuse of office. Ms Bamuturaki’s tenure was reportedly set to end in mid 2026, but the President opted for an immediate transition.

Mr Wake is widely regarded as a titan in African aviation. He is credited with transforming Ethiopian Airlines into a global powerhouse during his tenure as chief executive from 2004 to 2011. He later served as chairman of the Ethiopian Airlines Group and board chairman of RwandAir.

The intervention signals the government’s attempt to professionalize the management of Uganda Airlines and restore commercial discipline at the carrier following years of reported losses and governance challenges.