Uganda Airlines’ leadership crisis over the past two and a half years can be traced back to a single decision that abruptly altered a formal recruitment process and reshaped the national carrier’s management trajectory.
In mid-2022, global consulting firm PwC had been contracted to conduct a competitive search for a substantive chief executive officer for Uganda Airlines. The firm advertised the position, attracted more than a dozen applicants, and set July 8, 2022, as the deadline for submissions.
Just two days before the deadline, the process was suddenly abandoned.
Citing a presidential directive, the Minister of Works and Transport, Gen Edward Katumba Wamala, appointed Jenifer Bamuturaki as the substantive CEO in July 2022, overriding the PwC-led recruitment exercise. At the time, Ms Bamuturaki had been serving in an acting capacity.
The decision immediately raised concerns about governance, due process, and political interference in the management of a state-owned enterprise that was still in its early and fragile years of operation.
Over the next two and a half years, Uganda Airlines endured sustained internal strain, leadership disputes, and operational challenges. While the airline expanded routes and maintained strategic ambitions, questions persisted about decision-making structures, accountability, and the long-term financial sustainability of the carrier.
The leadership instability unfolded against a backdrop of mounting financial pressure. Uganda Airlines posted a Shs102 billion loss in its first year of operation, which grew to Shs265.91 billion and later to Shs325 billion by June 2023. Although losses later narrowed to about Shs231 billion by June 2024, the airline remained heavily dependent on government support.
Ms Bamuturaki’s tenure became increasingly contentious, marked by internal tensions and public scrutiny. While she had previously clashed with senior management, her appointment—and eventual exit—came to symbolise deeper governance challenges within the airline.
Critics argue that bypassing an open, competitive recruitment process weakened institutional checks and set a precedent that complicated leadership stability. Supporters, however, maintain that the directive ensured continuity at a critical moment for the airline.
As Uganda Airlines moves into a new phase under fresh leadership, the episode has reignited debate over the role of political authority in state enterprises, the importance of professional recruitment processes, and the long-term cost of overriding corporate governance norms.
For Uganda’s national carrier, the fallout from that July 2022 decision continues to shape its recovery, credibility, and future direction.
