Girma Wake, a retired airline industry executive and former chairman of the Ethiopian Airlines Group, is being viewed as a possible candidate to replace Uganda Airlines Chief Executive Officer Jennifer Bamuturaki.
Bamuturaki has served as CEO of the national carrier since 2022. According to an internal communication reportedly sent to staff, her position is set to be advertised, although it remains unclear when she is expected to leave office. Daily Star could not independently verify the timing of her departure.
“The Board will advertise the position of Chief Executive Officer shortly, and you are all encouraged to apply if you meet the required qualifications. The job description and application form will be published on the website,” Bamuturaki reportedly said in the communication.
The development comes amid ongoing investigations into allegations of abuse of office, embezzlement of funds, and false accounting involving officials of Uganda Airlines. The probes are being conducted jointly by the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) and the State House Anti-Corruption Unit and relate to several financial transactions undertaken by the national carrier.
According to a leaked letter addressed to Bamuturaki, the Deputy Director of CID in charge of Economic Fraud and Anti-Corruption, Lumala Fred, confirmed that the two agencies are investigating the airline’s financial conduct. In the letter, Lumala requested certified copies of the approved National Airline Business and Implementation Plan, the 2024/2025 budget, and Contracts Committee minutes authorising the purchase of Boeing aircraft.
Profile: Girma Wake
Girma Wake previously served as Chief Executive Officer of Ethiopian Airlines from 2004 to 2011 and later chaired the board of Rwanda’s national carrier, RwandAir, from 2012 to 2017. He returned to Ethiopian Airlines Group in 2018 as a board member and was appointed chairman in 2022.
In June 2023, he was replaced as board chairman by Yilma Merdassa, the head of the Ethiopian Air Force. At the time, Ethiopian Airlines said Girma’s “contribution to the growth and success of the airline group has been enormous and will take a special place in the history of the group.”
Girma joined Ethiopian Airlines in 1965 after graduating, at a time when the carrier was largely managed by American personnel from Trans World Airlines (TWA). He rose through the ranks to become one of the first Ethiopians to hold senior executive positions at the airline.
He served at Ethiopian Airlines for nearly three decades before resigning in 1993 following leadership disagreements with the newly installed Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) government.
In November 2003, Girma—then head of cargo operations at Gulf Air—was invited by then Ethiopian Airlines chairman and foreign affairs minister Seyoum Mesfin to return as CEO. Although initially reluctant, he accepted the position in February 2004.
At the time, Ethiopian Airlines operated 12 aircraft and carried about 1.2 million passengers annually. Under Girma’s leadership, the airline implemented its Vision 2010 strategy, launched in 2005. Despite early skepticism, the plan delivered rapid growth, with the airline expanding at an average annual rate of 25 percent between 2005 and 2010.
By the end of the period, passenger numbers had nearly tripled to 3.2 million, the fleet had grown to 37 aircraft, and Ethiopian Airlines had one of the youngest fleets globally. The airline also joined the Star Alliance in 2011.
During his tenure, Ethiopian Airlines created about 1,500 jobs and significantly increased employee incomes. The carrier also expanded across Africa through strategic partnerships, including a 45 percent stake in West Africa’s ASKY Airlines.
After stepping down as CEO in 2011, Girma was succeeded by Tewolde Gebremariam. He later served as chairman of United Insurance Company before taking up leadership roles at RwandAir and returning to Ethiopian Airlines Group in 2018.
