Ethiopian Girma Wake tipped to replace Bamuturaki as Uganda Airlines CEO

Veteran Ethiopian aviation executive Girma Wake is being tipped as the possible replacement for Jennifer Bamuturaki Musiime at Uganda Airlines, as pressure mounts on the embattled CEO following a turbulent and controversial tenure at the national carrier.

Wake (born 1943) is a renowned industry figure who served as Chief Executive Officer of Ethiopian Airlines between 2004 and 2011, overseeing a period of rapid expansion and consolidation that turned the airline into Africa’s leading carrier. He later returned as Board Chairman in 2022 and 2023. Although his appointment at Uganda Airlines remains speculative, multiple sources suggest that a replacement for Bamuturaki may already have been identified, even before a formal recruitment process begins.

Bamuturaki, who has led Uganda Airlines for close to five years—including a stint in an acting capacity—appears to be on her way out. On Monday, she circulated an internal memo to staff announcing that the Board would soon advertise the position of Chief Executive Officer, encouraging qualified employees to apply.

“The Board will advertise the post of Chief Executive Officer shortly, and you are all encouraged to apply if you meet the required qualifications,” the internal communication read.

Her departure follows a stormy period marked by three major investigations into the airline’s operations and governance. In 2024, the Parliamentary Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE) launched a probe into sustained losses at the airline. This was followed last month by a joint investigation by the Police Criminal Investigations Department and the State House Anti-Corruption Unit, focusing on allegations of mismanagement, corruption and abuse of office.

At the same time, the airline’s Board of Directors conducted its own internal inquiry, summoning Bamuturaki and her management team to answer allegations ranging from procurement malpractices to decisions blamed for massive financial losses.

Sources say the State House and police investigation stemmed from a meeting chaired by President Yoweri Museveni at State House in September last year, which effectively sealed Bamuturaki’s fate. Her explanations for the airline’s poor performance reportedly failed to convince the president, who angrily asked her to leave the meeting.

Central to the COSASE probe was a Shs 237.8 billion loss recorded in the 2023/2024 financial year, as highlighted in the Auditor General’s report. The losses were attributed to mismanagement, undue overpayments and the high cost of maintaining aircraft.

Bamuturaki and her team defended themselves, blaming the losses on high global jet fuel prices, aircraft leasing costs incurred while expanding the fleet, difficulties in sourcing spare parts and heavy depreciation costs. However, committee members rejected these explanations, faulting management for procuring outdated aircraft, which inevitably attracted high maintenance expenses.

Other allegations included a “ticket scam” involving an internal syndicate, resulting in losses of USD 253,189, violations of the Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets Act, embezzlement and general abuse of office.

Over the past year, media reports have consistently highlighted poor governance and operational mismanagement, further undermining Bamuturaki’s position. Persistent flight disruptions—including delays stretching from hours to days without explanation, and cancellations communicated poorly or not at all—only worsened public perception.

The Board demanded explanations over the lack of communication with stranded passengers, the absence of clear complaint-handling mechanisms, and asked management to present a detailed account of all reported flight disruptions, affected passengers and the associated costs.

One senior official interpreted Bamuturaki’s internal memo as a signal to potential internal successors or an attempt to manage internal fallout ahead of her exit. The official hinted that the CEO could be dismissed alongside other top managers.

However, other sources believe the move may have come too late, as the airline’s leadership transition could already be taking shape—with Girma Wake’s name increasingly mentioned as a possible successor. Until a substantive CEO is officially confirmed, his appointment remains a matter of speculation, but all signs point to the end of Bamuturaki’s tenure at Uganda Airlines.