NUP welcomes Uganda Airlines chief's sacking

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Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Joel Ssenyonyi, has commended President Yoweri Museveni's decision to sack Uganda Airlines chief executive officer (CEO) Jenifer Bamuturaki.

Ssenyonyi, who is also the Opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) spokesperson, says a 2022 report by the Parliament Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE) had highlighted governance issues at the airline, but that it was not debated in Parliament.

Addressing journalists at NUP party headquarters in Makerere-Kavule in Kampala city, Ssenyonyi appreciated President Museveni’s approach towards the administrative efforts aimed at eliminating corruption.

A group of NUP party leaders that attended the press conference at party headquarters in Makerere Kavule on Wednesday. (Photo by Isaac Nuwagaba)

The Nakawa West Member of Parliament (MP)-elect’s comments come after Museveni removed Bamuturaki, citing governance failures, disputed aircraft procurement decisions, and growing financial losses at the national carrier.

Transport state minister Fred Byamukama told New Vision that the decision to relieve Bamuturaki of the position was made in June 2025 following a probe by the Uganda Airlines board, which conducted an audit and revealed massive rot in the institution. 

The minister also said several other Uganda Airlines managers will not be spared and that they will not only be sacked but will also face prosecution.

Byamukama’s revelation comes in the wake of an internal email that Bamuturaki circulated to staff on Monday afternoon informing them that the airline’s board would soon advertise the position of CEO, a clear signal that her tenure had come to an end.

The decision to sack Bamuturaki has sparked mixed reactions, with some calling for her prosecution over alleged corruption and mismanagement. Others argue that the problems at Uganda Airlines reflect broader systemic issues in public governance.

For instance, former minister Capt. Francis Babu on Wednesday warned that replacing the Airlines' CEO will not, on its own, resolve the national carrier’s long-standing challenges. Babu has instead called for the creation of a specialised task force with strong technical expertise.

NUP leaders' demands

During the same briefing, NUP secretary general David Lewis Rubongoya condemned what he termed as malpractices in the recently concluded 2026 General Election, vowing to drag Kampala affairs minister Hajati Minsa Kabanda over allegations of rigging his victory.

The NUP party Secretary General, David Lewis Rubongoya addressing the press conference at the NUP party headquarters in Makerere Kavule. (Photo by Isaac Nuwagaba)

“I have finished gathering evidence to drag Kabanda to the courts of law over my stolen victory. Our agents were abducted and arrested from the polling stations, and we condemn the act because it is against the laws of Uganda,” Rubongoya said. However, New Vision Online could not independently verify these claims.

“Nearly a thousand people were arrested in different parts of the country, our agents, our supporters, and so forth. So, if you have good support, why pick up agents of your opponents from polling stations?” asked Kampala Lord Mayor-elect, Eng. Ronald Balimwezo Nsubuga.

President Yoweri Museveni was declared the 2026 presidential elections winner with 71.64% of votes, beating NUP’s Robert Kyagulanyi, who scooped 24.7% of the total votes cast in the country.