The Office of the President in Uganda has rejected rumours that President Yoweri Museveni had appointed Ethiopia’s Girma Wake, former CEO of Ethiopian Airlines as head of Uganda Airlines.
Last week President Museveni removed Uganda Airlines chief executive Jenifer Bamuturaki, signaling a major leadership overhaul at the national carrier as the government looks to stabilise and reposition the airline.
Balaam Barugahara, Uganda’s state minister of gender, and social development in charge of children and youth affairs on his X page said Museveni was considering appointing a former Ethiopian Airlines chief executive to lead the Ugandan national carrier.
However, the Office of the President of Uganda Friday confirmed that the president held talks with former CEO of Ethiopian Airlines Girma Wake but rejected his appointment as head of Uganda Airlines
Sandor Walusimbi, Uganda’s senior press secretary on his X page rebuffed the appointment of Wake to head the airlines.
APA has learned that Museveni, who last month ordered investigations into alleged mismanagement at the airline, has decided to shake up its management entirely.
The move signals a broad leadership reset at Uganda Airlines, with President Museveni said to be keen on installing a new management team capable of steering the airlines through internal challenges and positioning it for long-term sustainability.
Sources say Museveni wants a leadership team that can operate without internal friction or political interference as the airlines seeks to realise its commercial and strategic potential.
Girma Wake, who ran the Ethiopian Airlines between 2004 and 2011 as chief executive and later chaired its board, is said to be the man being seen as one to rely on to fly the national carrier further.
MG/as/APA