Uganda Airlines has advertised the position of Chief Executive Officer just two days after Jenifer Bamuturaki stepped down, moving swiftly to signal continuity at the national carrier even as reports circulate that President Museveni had identified former Ethiopian Airlines chief executive Girma Wake as a possible successor.
The vacancy announcement, published in a local daily on Tuesday, says the Board of Directors is seeking a “visionary and results-oriented” chief executive to lead the airline’s next phase of growth, underscoring the strategic importance of the role at a time of heightened scrutiny over the carrier’s performance and leadership stability.
Revived in 2019, Uganda Airlines is a fully state-owned enterprise operating a fleet of seven aircraft across 17 regional and international destinations, with Entebbe International Airport as its hub.
The airline has been positioned by government as a critical tool for boosting trade, tourism, and regional connectivity, while projecting Uganda’s national brand within Africa and beyond.
According to the advert, the successful candidate will report directly to the Board of Directors and will be responsible for “leading and driving the business and success of the Airline,” including devising and executing its corporate strategy.
The role places heavy emphasis on regulatory compliance, financial stewardship, commercial performance, safety and risk management, and stakeholder relations.
“The Board of Directors now seeks to recruit a visionary and results-oriented Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to provide strategic leadership and oversee the sustainable growth and performance of the Airline,” the advert states.
The airline says it is looking for a candidate with at least 10 years of senior-level aviation experience, a strong grasp of airline economics and network planning, and proven ability to work closely with a board in a regulated or public-sector environment.
High ethical standards, integrity, and commitment to public accountability are listed as core requirements.
In a notable signal of openness, the advert also states that candidates outside the aviation industry may apply, provided they can demonstrate comparable experience and the ability to deliver on the airline’s strategic, operational, and financial objectives.
Applicants must be below the age of 60.
The scope and tone of the advert point to a search for a seasoned executive capable of navigating both the commercial realities of airline operations and the political and governance sensitivities that come with leading a state-owned carrier.
The recruitment comes against the backdrop of unconfirmed reports that President Museveni had tapped Girma Wake, the long-serving former chief executive of Ethiopian Airlines, to take over leadership at Uganda Airlines.
But Mr Wake is 82 and therefore ruled of the running for the job.
Ethiopian Airlines is widely regarded as Africa’s most successful carrier, having expanded aggressively under Wake’s tenure before his retirement.
Neither State House nor Uganda Airlines has publicly commented on the reports, and the decision to publicly advertise the position suggests the board is pursuing a formal recruitment process.
However, a similar approach in 2022 was hijacked by politics when a search process was abandoned and instead Ms Bamuturaki was appointed by the President.
It later emerged that she neither had the requisite experience, nor the academic qualification at the time of taking the job.
Now the airline says interested candidates have been given until March 2, 2026 to submit applications, with Uganda Airlines emphasizing that it is an equal opportunity employer and encouraging applications from both women and men.
The appointment of the next chief executive is expected to be closely watched, as Uganda Airlines continues to grapple with questions around route profitability, fleet utilization, and long-term sustainability in a highly competitive regional aviation market.