Breaking!! Museveni Finally Gives Up On Uganda Airlines Blue Eyed Girl Bamuturaki

In a glowing letter dated June 2022, President Yoweri Museveni heaped praise on Jeniffer Bamuturaki—his then “blue-eyed girl”—and directed the Ministry of Works to appoint her CEO of Uganda Airlines without subjecting her to any form of competition.

The President commended Bamuturaki for her whistleblowing role, which he credited for exposing the rot within the newly revived national airline. At the time, Bamuturaki was serving as Director of Commercial Services under Zambian expatriate CEO Cornwell Muleya.

But there was another reason for the President’s endorsement—her lineage. Bamuturaki’s father had been a prominent opposition MP who fiercely resisted the Obote dictatorship in the early 1980s. His assassination turned him into a martyr of the anti-UPC resistance, and Museveni felt a personal obligation to honour that legacy.

The President’s directive was swiftly implemented by the Works Ministry and the Airline’s Board. However, Museveni made it clear that this appointment was only for a three-year term, and that once it expired on 17th July 2025, the position should be openly advertised and competed for. That time came—and passed—on 17th July this year.

While Bamuturaki’s allies anticipated a second wave of presidential generosity, they were in for a surprise. The man from Rwakitura remained noncommittal and didn’t show the same enthusiasm he had during her initial appointment.

This silence sowed confusion within the Works Ministry and the Uganda Airlines Board. An interim solution was enacted: Bamuturaki received a three-month contract extension while the line Minister sought fresh guidance from the President.

When Museveni finally weighed in, he declined the request for an automatic three-year renewal. Instead, he approved only a one-year extension, from July 2025 to July 2026. This came after Bamuturaki herself had written to him, expressing her interest in continuing for another full term, citing what she considered her accomplishments over the previous three years.

However, sources close to State House revealed that the President was no longer convinced. Reports indicated that Bamuturaki may not have been the ideal choice to lead the national carrier after all.

Since July 2022, Museveni has reportedly received troubling updates about persistent operational failures at Uganda Airlines. One recurring issue has been the Airline’s inability to control the smuggling of prohibited liquor into countries such as Somalia, where such products are banned. The Airline’s supervisory staff at Port Bell Road have had to answer for these lapses, leading to finger-pointing between headquarters and management.

Another area of concern has been Bamuturaki’s inability to foster teamwork and cohesion within her executive committee (exco). The President is said to receive regular reports detailing internal discord at the Airline’s top levels. Ironically, out of the ten exco members, fewer than five support her leadership. The rest reportedly don’t see eye to eye with her.

Her frosty relationship with the Airline’s Governing Board has further diminished her standing among Museveni’s key State House handlers and high-level officials at the Cabinet Secretariat. These tensions have painted the embattled CEO as volatile, unpredictable, and incapable of achieving the Airline’s ambitious goals.

Adding fuel to the fire was the controversial cancellation of a fuel supply deal with Dubai-based firm Mixjet. The abruptness of the termination embarrassed Uganda Airlines and cast doubt on its corporate professionalism, much to the dismay of Museveni’s inner circle.

But the real tipping point came when a damning special audit report landed on the President’s desk. Commissioned by the Auditor General with Bamuturaki’s own consent and full support from the Board, the report laid bare deep-rooted management failures and blatant disregard for basic corporate governance standards.

Among the shocking revelations: over \$5 million (about Shs18 billion) was found to be missing and unaccounted for. The same report raised red flags about the chaotic handling of fuel management at the Airline.

Shadow Works & Transport Minister Francis Mwijukye, during a recent COSASE session, echoed similar concerns. He questioned the Airline’s reckless spending on what he termed “non-priority consultancy services,” raising eyebrows in Parliament.

Parliamentarians are also becoming increasingly uneasy about the growing influence of foreign expatriates in Uganda Airlines’ top decision-making circles. One case in point: the recruitment of Nigerian national Adedeyo Olawig as Chief Commercial Officer. His appointment, some MPs argue, suggests that no competent Ugandan was considered for the role.

Adedeyo currently heads the Airline’s commercial operations from the PPPA/Road Fund Tower in Kampala. He resides in upscale Kololo at the company’s expense and reportedly earns a monthly salary of $25,000 (approximately Shs90 million) after taxes. The lavish remuneration and privileges have stirred frustration among lawmakers.

Allegations have also surfaced about top Uganda Airlines officials engaging in a property acquisition spree in high-end neighbourhoods such as Lubowa, along Entebbe Road—fueling suspicions about possible financial misconduct.