President Museveni has met with Girma Wake, a veteran of the African aviation industry, in discussions that could pave the way for his appointment as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Uganda Airlines.
The meeting, held at State House, also included Robert Kateera and focused on issues relating to air transport and the future direction of the national carrier, Museveni confirmed.
The development comes as the term of current CEO Jennifer Bamuturaki approaches its end in May, with the president opting not to renew her contract.
Uganda Airlines is also under scrutiny over alleged financial irregularities, including abuse of office, embezzlement, and false accounting.
Investigations are ongoing, led jointly by the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) and the State House Anti-Corruption Unit.
Yesterday, the airline’s Board of Directors formally advertised the CEO position, calling for a visionary leader to drive strategic growth and sustainable performance.
Girma Wake, a respected figure in African aviation, brings decades of experience. He served as CEO of Ethiopian Airlines from 2004 to 2011, leading the carrier through a period of rapid expansion.
Under his leadership, passenger numbers grew from 1.2 million to 3.2 million annually, the fleet expanded from 12 to 37 aircraft, and the airline became a member of the Star Alliance.
He also chaired the board of Rwanda’s national carrier, RwandAir, from 2012 to 2017 and returned to Ethiopian Airlines Group as chairman in 2022 before being replaced in 2023.
Girma’s career with Ethiopian Airlines spans nearly six decades. He joined the airline in 1965, rose through the ranks, and became one of the first Ethiopian executives to hold senior management positions.
He is credited with implementing strategies that strengthened the airline’s presence across Africa, including a 45 percent stake in West African carrier ASKY Airlines.
With Uganda Airlines seeking fresh leadership to navigate both operational challenges and ongoing probes into financial transactions, Girma Wake’s potential appointment signals a move toward experienced, internationally recognized management.