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Uganda Airlines to table CEO shortlist with board next month
“I am submitting to the board sometime in September a list of candidates, possible candidates for the CEO position. I have shared some names. I have shared some Curriculum Vitae (CVs). But it will be discussed in September.”
Uganda Airlines acting Chief Executive Officer, Girma Wake, during the interview with New Vision. (Photo By Eddie Ssejjoba)
By: Ali Twaha, Journalist @New Vision
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Uganda Airlines acting Chief Executive Officer and consultant Girma Wake has revealed that he will submit a list of possible candidates for the substantive CEO position to the airline’s board sometime in September.
“I am submitting to the board sometime in September a list of candidates, possible candidates for the CEO position. I have shared some names. I have shared some Curriculum Vitae (CVs). But it will be discussed in September,” Girma said in an exclusive interview with New Vision.
The veteran Ethiopian aviation executive made the remarks while discussing progress on stabilising the national carrier and the ongoing process to appoint a permanent chief executive.
Girma was appointed in February 2026 by President Yoweri Museveni as a consultant and acting CEO following the exit of former CEO Jenifer Bamuturaki.
The President cited leadership and management weaknesses at the airline and directed that Girma assist in rectifying the challenges while overseeing day-to-day operations and working with the board until a new CEO is appointed.
Girma was appointed in February 2026 by President Yoweri Museveni as a consultant and acting CEO following the exit of former CEO Jenifer Bamuturaki.
The President cited leadership and management weaknesses at the airline and directed that Girma assist in rectifying the challenges while overseeing day-to-day operations and working with the board until a new CEO is appointed.
His mandate included guiding the recruitment of a substantive CEO, initially targeted for around July 2026. The process has taken longer as Girma focused first on restoring operational reliability, returning grounded aircraft to service, addressing maintenance backlogs, and implementing broader reforms at the carrier.
“The state of Uganda Airlines right now, I would say it's good. It was a difficult time. But it has a very promising future. The potential for the airline is good. The country has enough traffic to support an airline. It has educated people who can be trained in different phases. That gives a lot of hope about the future of the airline,” Wake said.
Girma, a former CEO of Ethiopian Airlines and former chairman of both Ethiopian Airlines Group and RwandAir, has been credited with bringing professional experience to the transition.
He has emphasised operational integrity, accountability, and building a competent management team as priorities. The board is expected to deliberate on the shortlist of candidates and CVs in September before advancing the appointment process.
“The state of Uganda Airlines right now, I would say it's good. It was a difficult time. But it has a very promising future. The potential for the airline is good. The country has enough traffic to support an airline. It has educated people who can be trained in different phases. That gives a lot of hope about the future of the airline,” Wake said.
Girma, a former CEO of Ethiopian Airlines and former chairman of both Ethiopian Airlines Group and RwandAir, has been credited with bringing professional experience to the transition.
He has emphasised operational integrity, accountability, and building a competent management team as priorities. The board is expected to deliberate on the shortlist of candidates and CVs in September before advancing the appointment process.