Public pressure is intensifying for further action to be taken against former Uganda Airlines chief executive officer (CEO) Ms Jenifer Bamuturaki following her exit from the national carrier, with many Ugandans insisting that her departure alone is not enough.
As fresh details continue to emerge regarding alleged mismanagement, governance failures, and an ongoing criminal investigation into the airline’s operations, calls for her arrest and possible prosecution are growing louder across both civil society and social media platforms.
What initially appeared to be a routine leadership transition has rapidly evolved into a national debate about accountability, impunity, and the handling of public resources in state-owned enterprises.
The controversy gained fresh momentum after news broke that the Board of Uganda Airlines had decided to advertise the position of CEO nearly four years after Ms Bamuturaki assumed office, a move many viewed as overdue and insufficient.
On social media, Ugandans reacted with anger and disbelief, questioning why an official presiding over what they describe as years of financial hemorrhage was being allowed to exit quietly.
For many critics, the issue is not merely about leadership change but about justice and responsibility for the alleged misuse of taxpayers’ money.
Lawyer and human rights activist Nicholas Opiyo was among the most vocal critics, arguing that Ms Bamuturaki’s exit should have been accompanied by criminal accountability.
“In any sound and accountable system, this lady would not only be fired but also be in jail for a series of serious public mismanagement at @UG_Airlines and for suspected abuse of funds and corruption,” he said.
Opiyo’s remarks resonated widely, drawing thousands of reactions and amplifying public frustration with what many perceive as selective enforcement of accountability in Uganda’s public sector.
Other commentators echoed similar sentiments, openly questioning why termination appeared to be the only consequence for alleged wastage of taxpayers’ money running into hundreds of billions of shillings.
Some argued that allowing senior officials to walk away uncharged sends a dangerous message that public office comes without personal responsibility.
Medical researcher Dr Catherine Kyobutungi weighed in on the controversy, arguing that the problems at Uganda Airlines predate Ms Bamuturaki’s exit and point to deeper governance failures.
She contended that Ms Bamuturaki should never have been appointed in the first place, warning that weak oversight and poor governance have normalized arbitrary hiring and firing in public institutions.
According to Dr Kyobutungi, the Uganda Airlines saga reflects a broader systemic failure where qualifications, accountability, and performance are often secondary considerations.
Another commentator, Mike, took an even tougher stance, calling for the arrest of all officials involved in the controversial aircraft purchases that have since come under scrutiny.
His remarks echoed widespread concern about procurement decisions that critics say saddled the airline with unsustainable costs and questionable routes.
Ms Bamuturaki’s departure comes at a particularly sensitive time, as it coincides with an active criminal investigation into the airline’s operations.
Last month, the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID), working in conjunction with the State House Anti-Corruption Unit (SHACU), launched a probe into alleged abuse of office, embezzlement, and false accounting at Uganda Airlines.
Investigators have reportedly demanded extensive financial, procurement, and banking records, signaling the seriousness of the inquiry.
Among the documents requested are records related to the acquisition of Boeing aircraft and the airline’s costly London route, both of which have been the subject of intense public and parliamentary scrutiny.
The investigation has further fueled public suspicion that deeper wrongdoing may have occurred beyond what has so far been disclosed.
Uganda Airlines, which was revived in 2019 amid much national optimism, has since relied heavily on government bailouts to stay afloat.
Nearly Shs1 trillion has been injected into the airline since its relaunch, underscoring the scale of public investment and the high expectations placed on its leadership.
In December alone, Shs696.5 billion was allocated for fleet expansion under a supplementary budget, raising fresh questions about sustainability and fiscal discipline.
While the Auditor General’s latest report noted a marginal reduction in losses and a 19.2 percent increase in revenue, critics argue that these gains are negligible when weighed against the massive taxpayer funding.
Despite the reported improvements, Uganda Airlines still posted a net loss of Shs230.81 billion in the 2024/2025 financial year, reinforcing concerns about its long-term viability.
For critics, these figures illustrate a troubling disconnect between investment and returns, and they argue that leadership must be held accountable for the imbalance.
Further complicating Ms Bamuturaki’s tenure are longstanding concerns over her qualifications, which have resurfaced amid the renewed calls for accountability.
In 2022, Parliament’s Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (Cosase) found that she lacked the required postgraduate training stipulated in the job description.
That finding, which was never fully resolved, has returned to the spotlight as critics question how she remained in office despite clear parliamentary reservations.
For many observers, the unfolding events at Uganda Airlines represent more than just the fall of one executive.
They see it as a test case for whether Uganda is prepared to confront mismanagement in its public institutions—or whether leadership failures will once again be buried beneath quiet exits and unfulfilled investigations.
As public anger continues to simmer and investigations deepen, pressure is mounting on authorities to demonstrate that accountability will extend beyond boardroom reshuffles to meaningful legal consequences.
Whether Ms Bamuturaki’s exit marks the beginning of justice or merely another chapter in a familiar cycle of impunity remains an open and closely watched question.
