By TV10GanoMazima Investigative File.
Uganda Airlines, once seen as a symbol of national pride, is now in a state of internal chaos—crippled by corruption, leadership wrangles, and nepotism. The airline has lost billions in public funds due to poor governance, political interference, and unchecked greed from within its leadership structures.
The problems began in 2022 with the controversial appointment of Jennifer Bamuturaki as CEO. She was appointed without proper recruitment procedures and lacked the experience needed to run a national carrier. Her appointment marked the start of a breakdown in professionalism and oversight.
Soon after, the former board committee—which included representatives from critical institutions such as the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA), URA, the Ministry of Finance, and Ministry of Works and Transport—was abolished.
In its place, a new politically connected board was installed, chaired by Ms. Priscilla Miremba Serukka, the sister-in-law of Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala, Minister of Works and Transport. This raised immediate red flags over nepotism and conflict of interest, which are not permitted in public service governance.
This new board also included both Hon. Katumba Wamala and Hon. Fred Byamukama, the State Minister for Transport—who had also supervised the former board. Their continued control over the airline raised further concerns about political interference and lack of transparency.
Once the new board took over, the airline leadership quickly became divided between two camps: one of supporting CEO Bamuturaki and the other loyal to Chairperson Serukka and the board.
This internal war stalled operations, with each side accusing the other of corruption and sabotage. As Bamuturaki gained confidence in her role, she began blocking some suspicious deals—creating even more friction.
Aircraft maintenance contracts were grossly overpriced. Routes meant to generate revenue for the airline were handed to subcontractors, who pocketed the money.
A major example is the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) route, which was subcontracted to a woman named Shakira, who is now facing corruption charges in the DRC. This DRC route deal involved key insiders from Uganda Airlines—including HR, accountants, and the former route manager—who worked together to divert funds from the airline into private hands.
Another major scandal was the purchase of aircraft from a company that was already collapsing. The board approved the deal despite knowing the supplier was financially unstable. Not long after the purchase, the supplier went out of business, leaving Uganda Airlines to scramble for spare parts and maintenance elsewhere—again, at inflated costs.
The collapse in financial accountability at Uganda Airlines lies with: CEO Jennifer Bamuturaki, whose appointment was irregular and whose leadership has been marred by weak controls—despite some recent efforts to block corrupt deals; the current board of directors, chaired by Ms. Serukka, through which key decisions like overpriced contracts and subcontracting routes were approved; political figures, especially Gen. Katumba Wamala and Hon. Fred Byamukama, who installed and continue to back the current board despite the conflict of interest; and internal airline staff, who facilitated corruption through fake requisitions, inflated tenders, and route revenue theft.
Uganda Airlines is no longer a public institution serving the country—it has become a victim of corruption, power struggles, and nepotism. Billions in public funds have been lost, routes mismanaged, and leadership credibility destroyed.
Without immediate investigations, prosecutions, and a total leadership overhaul, the airline will remain a cash cow for the politically connected, instead of a source of national pride.
