State House Denies Museveni Appointed Girma Wake as Uganda Airlines CEO – Dismisses Viral Social Media Claims

The Presidency has clarified that President Yoweri Museveni has not appointed former Ethiopian Airlines CEO Girma Wake to lead Uganda Airlines. 

The Presidency has firmly dismissed circulating reports claiming that President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has appointed Girma Wake, the former Chief Executive Officer of Ethiopian Airlines, as the new CEO of Uganda Airlines.

In an official statement shared on X, Senior Press Secretary Sandor Walusimbi addressed the rumors directly:

“It is not true that President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has appointed anyone to the position of CEO of Uganda Airlines. The public is advised to disregard all social media messages claiming otherwise.”

Walusimbi confirmed that President Museveni did meet Girma Wake at State House on February 4, 2026, where discussions focused on aviation matters and other topics. However, he emphasized that no appointment was made during or following the meeting.

The clarification comes after several high-profile social media posts— including from State Minister Balaam Barugahara—suggested Wake had been selected to replace outgoing CEO Jenifer Bamuturaki. Some accounts even credited General Muhoozi Kainerugaba for recommending Wake as a transformative leader for the national carrier.

Veteran journalist Andrew Mwenda had also commented positively on the supposed development, framing it as a step toward ending alleged mismanagement at Uganda Airlines.

These claims gained traction online amid ongoing uncertainty at the airline, following Bamuturaki’s recent announcement that the board would advertise the CEO position publicly—signaling the end of her tenure after nearly four years.

The Presidency’s swift denial highlights the risks of misinformation spreading rapidly on social platforms, particularly in matters involving national institutions and high-level appointments.

Uganda Airlines remains in a transitional phase, with the board expected to proceed with the recruitment process as previously indicated. No official updates on the CEO vacancy have been issued beyond the internal communication from Bamuturaki.

Santa Media Uganda advises the public to rely only on verified statements from State House, the Uganda Airlines board, or official government channels for accurate information on this matter.