Retired pilot Capt Francis Babu has criticised the appointment of Jennifer Bamuturaki as chief executive officer of Uganda Airlines, describing it as a misstep by the appointing authority.
Capt Babu’s comments come shortly after Ms Bamuturaki stepped down from her position amid mounting scrutiny over the airline’s performance.
Reports indicate that President Museveni is considering appointing a former Ethiopian Airlines CEO to lead the national carrier.
Uganda Airlines has faced ongoing criticism since resuming operations in 2019, with concerns over persistent financial losses and operational challenges.
In an interview with NTV, Capt Babu questioned Ms Bamuturaki’s qualifications and experience for running an airline.
“They went and picked somebody from Sheraton Hotel and said she should run an airline,” he said. “Whoever appointed the lady made a mistake.”
He argued that Ms Bamuturaki should have started in a trainee or junior role to gain experience before taking on such a senior position.
“She’s okay if she had come in to be trained, but she was not trained and she started bragging,” he added, referring to remarks she reportedly made regarding the challenges of managing an airline.
According to sources, Ms Bamuturaki’s troubles escalated after President Museveni last month ordered investigations into alleged mismanagement at Uganda Airlines, a move expected to lead to significant leadership changes.
Her departure follows previous oversight scrutiny. In 2024, Ms Bamuturaki appeared before Parliament’s Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE), where she was asked to submit academic documents as part of investigations into public entities.
