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Kampala, Uganda — Uganda Airlines Chief Executive Officer Jennifer Bamuturaki Musiime is set to leave office after the airline’s Board moved to advertise her position, signaling the end of her leadership following multiple investigations, mounting financial losses, and sustained criticism over governance and operations at the national carrier.
On Monday, Bamuturaki circulated an internal memo to staff announcing that the Board of Directors would soon advertise the position of Chief Executive Officer, encouraging qualified employees to apply. The communication has been widely interpreted as confirmation that her exit from the airline is imminent after nearly five years at the helm, including time served in an acting capacity.
Her departure follows intense scrutiny from multiple oversight bodies. In 2024, the Parliamentary Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE) investigated Uganda Airlines over persistent losses, including a reported UGX 237.8 billion loss in the 2023/2024 financial year, as highlighted in the Auditor General’s report. The committee attributed the losses to mismanagement, undue payments, and high aircraft maintenance costs.
Further pressure mounted last month when the Police Criminal Investigations Department, together with the State House Anti-Corruption Unit, launched a probe into alleged corruption, abuse of office, and procurement malpractices. At the same time, the airline’s Board of Directors summoned Bamuturaki and her senior management to respond to allegations linked to procurement irregularities and operational inefficiencies that reportedly led to huge financial losses.
Sources indicate that Bamuturaki’s fate may have been sealed during a State House meeting chaired by President Yoweri Museveni in September last year. Her explanations regarding the airline’s underperformance were reportedly rejected, and she was asked to leave the meeting, signaling a loss of confidence at the highest level.
While Bamuturaki and her team defended their record by citing high jet fuel prices, aircraft leasing costs, challenges in sourcing spare parts, and depreciation expenses, investigators and lawmakers faulted management for procuring outdated aircraft that attracted high maintenance costs.
Additional allegations during her tenure included a ticketing scam involving an internal syndicate that allegedly led to a loss of USD 253,189, violations of the Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets Act, and revenue leakages estimated at over UGX 10 billion.
Operational challenges further eroded public confidence in the airline, particularly in recent months when passengers experienced prolonged flight delays and cancellations, sometimes lasting days, with limited or no communication from management. The Board reportedly demanded explanations on how many passengers were affected, the cost of disruptions, and why customer communication had broken down.
Although no official dismissal letter has been issued publicly, insiders say Bamuturaki is expected to exit alongside other top management officials as part of a broader restructuring.
Speculation has also emerged around her possible replacement, with reports suggesting that veteran Ethiopian aviation executive Girma Wake, a former CEO of Ethiopian Airlines, could be lined up to take over. However, no official appointment has been confirmed.
As Uganda Airlines prepares for new leadership,
Bamuturaki’s exit marks the end of one of the most controversial periods in the carrier’s short history—defined by ambitious expansion plans, heavy financial losses, and intense public and parliamentary scrutiny.
By our Reporter
