Uganda Airlines is grappling with internal tensions and a stalled Shs 3 billion probe into its public relations expenditure, amid sweeping management changes at the national carrier.
The shake-up follows the February 2026 departure of former chief executive officer Jennifer Bamuturaki, which triggered shifts within both the board and senior management.
Sources within the airline say the current leadership under CEO Girma Wake has presided over a period marked by restructuring. However there are internal power struggles.
One of the contentious issues, according to insiders, is the phasing out of officials perceived to be aligned with the former CEO, with several contracts reportedly not renewed.
There are also claims of increased recruitment of staff linked to the Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC), a move some insiders describe as the “UNOC-isation” of the airline, raising concerns about influence over key positions.
At the centre of the controversy is an internal audit into the utilisation of Shs 3 billion allocated last year for public relations and media management.
Bamuturaki is said to have commissioned the probe in January 2026 after continued negative publicity about the airline, directing the internal audit department to investigate the expenditure and report within three months.
However, the probe reportedly stalled following her exit a month later.
Sources allege that officials implicated in the audit moved to frustrate the investigation, which has since gone silent with no report released.
“The probe lost momentum after the leadership change. Some of those under scrutiny pushed for it to be dropped before the new CEO fully settled in,” a source said.
Meanwhile, insiders describe CEO Wake as results-driven but still navigating internal dynamics within the organisation.
“He is focused on performance targets, but there are many things happening behind the scenes that are creating tension,” another source said.
Uganda Airlines has in the past faced scrutiny over governance and operational challenges, with the latest developments likely to renew questions about transparency and accountability at the state-owned carrier.
