The Nile Post, a Uganda-based media outlet, has reported that President Yoweri Museveni has nominated Girma Wake, former CEO of Ethiopian Airlines, to lead Uganda Airlines as its new chief executive.
According to the report, Girma Wake will replace Jennifer Bamuturaki, the former CEO of Uganda Airlines, who has been relieved of her duties amid mounting pressure from President Museveni. The leadership change comes as the Ugandan government conducts an investigation into the national carrier over alleged mismanagement.
Uganda Airlines is currently undergoing a broader management overhaul aimed at repositioning the airline for long-term sustainability, the report added.
Girma Wake is widely regarded as one of Africa’s most accomplished aviation executives. He served as CEO of Ethiopian Airlines from 2004 to 2011, overseeing a period of significant growth and international expansion. More recently, he was Chairman of the Board of Ethiopian Airlines from 2022 to 2023.
Following his tenure at Ethiopian Airlines, Girma Wake went on to serve as Chairman of RwandAir and as an advisor for the Togolese government. He also played a key role in the establishment of ASKY Airlines in West Africa, in which Ethiopian Airlines holds a significant ownership stake.
