Old Wine, New Bottles: Ssenyonyi and Ssemujju Cast Doubt on Uganda Airlines Overhaul.

Описание: In a dramatic and controversial shake-up, Yoweri Museveni has appointed former Ethiopian Airline CEO Girma Wake as interim Chief Executive Officer of Uganda Airlines, following the abrupt dismissal of Jennifer Bamuturaki. Bamuturaki’s tenure had been overshadowed by mounting financial losses and persistent operational turbulence, culminating in her removal at a time when the national carrier remains under intense public scrutiny.

At first glance, the appointment of a seasoned aviation executive appears to signal decisive action. Yet beneath the surface, this move may represent more of the same. The President’s decision was shaped by influential voices within his inner circle, notably journalist Andrew Mwenda. Mwenda suggested that the President had only a narrow set of options: appoint a trusted family member, hire a European executive based on perceived managerial superiority, or recruit a former or current executive from Ethiopian Airlines. Ultimately, Museveni chose the latter—raising fresh debate about the forces guiding high-level state appointments.

However, many observers insist that Uganda Airlines’ crisis runs far deeper than the identity of its CEO. The systemic governance failures—ranging from political interference to entrenched patronage networks—continue to cripple the airline’s prospects. In this view, even the most experienced aviation professional would struggle to deliver results within a structure they describe as constrained by centralized control and limited institutional independence.

These concerns were forcefully articulated by Joel Ssenyonyi, who previously chaired the parliamentary Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE) during its inquiry into the airline. He criticized the appointment as yet another instance of the President unilaterally selecting leadership while sidelining established recruitment procedures. Echoing similar sentiments, former Kira Municipality MP Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda argued that reviving a national carrier requires sweeping structural reforms—not simply a change of guard in the executive office.

As Uganda Airlines once again finds itself at the center of political and economic debate, the question looms large: Is this bold new appointment the beginning of a genuine turnaround—or merely another headline-grabbing reshuffle in a cycle of unresolved challenges?