Veteran politician and aviation expert Francis Babu has welcomed President Museveni’s directive appointing seasoned Ethiopian aviation executive Girma Wake to take interim charge of Uganda Airlines, describing the move as “better late than never” and a necessary step toward restoring operational stability at the national carrier.
Speaking during an exclusive interview with NBS Television on Tuesday, Capt Babu said Wake’s wealth of experience positions him well to steer the airline through its current challenges. However, he cautioned that leadership alone would not be sufficient without structural reforms and a competent support team.
“They should have done it right from the beginning. It’s better late than never. He is an expert and he can do his job, but we must stop obsessing over credentials and age. Very good consultants are usually not very young; they are experienced and understand the system,” he said.
Babu called for a “clean slate” approach, urging the outgoing board and management team to step aside to allow the new interim CEO to assemble a professional team capable of executing a turnaround strategy.
He stressed the importance of strengthening three critical pillars: marketing, finance, and operations.
“Those are the areas where the problem lies. If you put this expert with the same people who have been running the airline without reform, you risk making him fail,” he said.
Echoing concerns previously raised in oversight reports, Babu advocated for a comprehensive forensic audit to establish accountability and restore public confidence.
“We need a forensic audit—not just talk about it. Let’s give this man a clean slate so he can bring in competent professionals and rebuild corporate culture,” he added.
The President’s February 13, 2026 directive cited “current leadership and management weaknesses” at Uganda Airlines and ordered Wake’s immediate formalization as Consultant/Advisor and Acting Chief Executive Officer until July 2026.
The directive also required the immediate stepping aside of former CEO Jenifer Bamuturaki pending a global search for a substantive chief executive.
Her tenure had faced scrutiny following repeated reports by the Auditor General highlighting governance gaps, including the absence of an approved staff establishment, salary disparities, and persistent financial losses.
In 2024, Bamuturaki appeared before Parliament’s Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE) as part of oversight proceedings.
While supporting the President’s intervention, Babu underscored that Uganda Airlines requires more than leadership changes — it needs a comprehensive strategic reset.
“What needs to change is the airline’s strategy. It’s not just about money. We must evaluate whether it serves the medium- and long-term national interest,” he said.
Babu acknowledged that although the airline has recorded monetary losses, it has delivered broader national benefits, including enhanced connectivity, improved trade facilitation, and increased national prestige.
“There has been a monetary loss, but there has been a profit for the country,” he said.
However, he warned against political interference in operational management, stressing that aviation demands agility and rapid decision-making.
“When politics interferes with the business of running an airline, you risk mismanagement. Aviation requires management that can make split-second decisions,” he said.
Drawing from his aviation background, Babu also recommended a reassessment of the airline’s fleet strategy.
He suggested consideration of modern, fuel-efficient aircraft such as the Boeing 787 Dreamliner series, alongside alternatives like the Airbus A330-200 or Boeing 737 variants, subject to expert technical evaluation.
“The expert and his team should sit down and decide on the most suitable aircraft. We cannot cry over spilt milk; we must focus on damage control and long-term sustainability,” he said.
Wake brings decades of aviation leadership experience. Born on June 23, 1948, he joined Ethiopian Airlines in 1965 and rose through the ranks to serve as Chief Executive Officer from 2004 to 2011.
During his tenure, the airline expanded its international footprint, modernized its fleet, and became Africa’s most profitable carrier, strengthening corporate governance and commercial discipline.
He later served as Chairman of the Board of Directors at RwandAir from 2012 to 2017 and returned to Ethiopian Airlines as a Board Member in 2018, eventually serving as Board Chairman from 2022 until June 2023.
Industry observers view Wake’s appointment as a strategic move aimed at stabilizing Uganda Airlines, restoring operational efficiency, and insulating the carrier from governance weaknesses while a substantive CEO is recruited through a global search process.
Sources within government and the aviation sector say the interim leadership arrangement signals renewed commitment to strengthening governance frameworks, enhancing commercial performance, and positioning Uganda Airlines for long-term sustainability.
