The Deputy Inspector General of Government, Anne Twinomugisha Muhairwe, has challenged the new leadership of Uganda Airlines to use the ongoing transition to clean up the national carrier and restore public confidence amid complaints of recruitment and procurement irregularities.
Twinomugisha said the airline’s leadership has an opportunity to rewrite its story by building a professional, resilient and accountable institution capable of earning and sustaining public trust.
She made the remarks yesterday while meeting Uganda Airlines chief executive officer Girma Wake as part of activities by the Inspectorate of Government to commemorate International Ombuds Day 2026 under the theme, “Ombuds: Office of Options.”
According to Twinomugisha, the Inspectorate has received complaints concerning the national carrier, including alleged irregularities in recruitment and procurement, financial mismanagement and poor institutional culture.
She said the Ombudsman’s role is not simply to wait for problems to escalate before intervening, but to provide institutions with options to resolve disputes and strengthen their systems.
“Our approach is not necessarily to wait until a problem has escalated into a major crisis. Where possible, the Ombudsman should help institutions identify problems early, resolve them and strengthen their systems,” Twinomugisha said.
Airline under scrutiny
Twinomugisha reminded the airline’s leadership that Uganda Airlines is more than a commercial enterprise because it represents the country’s name and image across Africa and beyond.
She urged the management to prioritise professionalism, fairness, transparency, accountability, value for money and quality customer service.
Twinomugisha said the Ombudsman can intervene through early engagement, dialogue, mediation, investigations, advice and recommendations to help institutions address administrative challenges before they become bigger crises.
She also welcomed Wake’s arrival and thanked him for taking on the responsibility of helping revive and strengthen the national carrier.
Twinomugisha assured Wake that Uganda has confidence in his leadership and is rooting for the airline’s success.
Wake, who appreciated the Inspectorate for reaching out to the airline, said Uganda Airlines was now well positioned to fulfil its potential.
He said with time and the right support, the carrier would achieve greater heights.
Wake also pledged to organise an engagement between the airline’s staff and the Inspectorate of Government to explain the Ombudsman’s mandate and give employees an opportunity to share their experiences, challenges and opportunities at the airline.
