Veteran Aviation Leader Girma Wake Appointed to Lead Uganda Airlines Transition

In a decisive move to restructure the national carrier, President Yoweri Museveni has appointed Girma Wake, the former Chairman and CEO of Ethiopian Airlines, to oversee an executive transition at Uganda Airlines.

The appointment was confirmed following a meeting between President Museveni and Girma Wake at State House this Wednesday. During their talks, President Museveni directly tasked the renowned aviation expert with addressing the challenges at the airline, stating, “We have this big problem at Uganda Airlines and I have been convinced you are the right person to help us. Please go in and sort out the mess.”

Girma Wake is a celebrated figure in African aviation, widely credited for transforming Ethiopian Airlines into a continental powerhouse during his tenure as CEO from 2004 to 2011. His expertise is now set to guide Uganda Airlines, which was revived by the Government of Uganda in 2019 amid high expectations for regional and international connectivity.

In his interim role, Wake will be responsible for steering the airline and leading a comprehensive recruitment process. His primary mandate is to identify and appoint a new substantive Chief Executive Officer and members of the top management team. He will also assemble a transitional team to support this critical executive overhaul.

This strategic hire signals a significant intervention by the Ugandan government to stabilize and professionalize the leadership of the national carrier, leveraging one of the continent’s most experienced aviation minds to chart its future course.