Uganda Airlines is facing one of the most turbulent moments in its short history after President Yoweri Museveni moved to push out Chief Executive Officer Jenifer Bamuturaki, citing mounting governance concerns, controversial procurement choices and persistent financial strain at the national carrier.
The decision follows high-level reviews that exposed deep dissatisfaction with how the airline has been run.An internal communication to staff signaled the transition, with the Board preparing to publicly advertise the CEO position.
In the message, Bamuturaki informed employees that the role would soon be open, a development widely interpreted within the airline as confirmation that her time at the helm is ending.
Sources trace the fallout to a decisive meeting at State House in September 2025, where the President met members of the airline’s Board and top management. The session reportedly examined unresolved audit issues, aircraft acquisition decisions under scrutiny and signs of revenue leakages that had raised red flags among government officials.Tensions boiled over during the meeting, with insiders saying Museveni openly expressed frustration with the explanations provided by management.
Bamuturaki was asked to leave as discussions intensified, a dramatic moment that observers say marked the collapse of presidential confidence in her leadership.The leadership changes now unfold alongside a criminal investigation spearheaded by the Criminal Investigations Directorate in coordination with the State House Anti-Corruption Unit. Detectives have formally requested extensive records covering procurement, financial transactions, ticketing systems and internal audit findings.
Among the documents sought are approvals tied to aircraft purchases, contracts with fuel suppliers and leasing companies, and banking records linked to airline revenues. Investigators are also reviewing expenditure connected to the launch of the London route, an expansion once celebrated as a milestone for the carrier.Auditors previously uncovered that millions of dollars in passenger service fees were still being charged long after the levy was reportedly discontinued, with no clear trail showing the funds were deposited.
Additional concerns were raised over ticketing arrangements and discounted fare classes allegedly dominated by agencies linked to airline insiders.As Uganda Airlines navigates this storm, the developments mark a critical turning point for a state-backed enterprise launched to symbolize national ambition. With investigations ongoing and leadership changes underway, authorities are seeking to determine how governance lapses occurred, the extent of financial exposure and who will ultimately be held responsible.
