By Samuel Ssenono
Girma Wake says he accepted the Uganda Airlines assignment after being repeatedly asked why he would take on such a challenge at this stage of his life, responding that the continent’s aviation journey is not complete and he could not step aside when called.
“I have been asked, more than once in recent weeks, why at this stage of my life I would take on a challenge of this nature. My answer is simple: Africa’s aviation story is still being written. I was fortunate to hold the pen during one remarkable chapter. When Uganda called, I could not in good conscience set that pen down.”
In his first message to the airlines’ guests published in Uganda Airlines’ inflight magazine NG’AALI, he sets the tone for how he intends to approach the task ahead.
Wake says the starting point is honesty and a clear understanding of the airline’s current position.
“Honesty, I have always believed, is the first act of leadership. It is the one currency that cannot be manufactured, and it is the one thing our passengers, our staff and the travelling public deserve above all else.”
He adds that confronting the airline’s challenges directly is necessary.
“Acknowledging this is not a counsel of despair. It is the beginning of the repair. You cannot rebuild what you refuse to examine.”
Wake sets out the areas he will focus on, pointing to operational integrity, accountability, respect for the law and a long-term strategy aligned with Uganda’s potential. He says progress will be measured in day-to-day execution.
“We are not yet the airline we intend to become. But every day, every flight, every interaction is a step closer.”
He also turns to staff, acknowledging the pressure they have worked under and recognising their role in the airline’s future.
“I see you, I understand the weight this period has placed on your shoulders. You have continued to show, serve and represent this airline with pride, even as the storms gathered above. Your dedication is the foundation upon which everything we build will stand.”
Wake signals a shift in how the airline will position itself, pointing to partnerships and long-term growth.
“Uganda Airlines is open for business, and we are building for the long haul. The Pearl of Africa deserves a flag carrier that flies as brilliantly as it shines.”
Using the national symbol, he describes the approach he wants the airline to take.
“The NG’AALI, Uganda’s beloved national symbol, is known not for speed alone, but for the poise, purpose and quiet resilience with which it rises. It does not flee the storms. It soars through them.”
He closes with a message to passengers, tying the changes to service delivery.
“On behalf of the entire Uganda Airlines team, we welcome you aboard. Thank you for choosing to fly with us. We are grateful for your trust, inspired by your confidence, and committed to earning both every single day.”
Wake brings more than six decades of aviation experience. He began his career at Ethiopian Airlines in 1965 and later served as Chief Executive Officer from 2004 to 2011. He went on to chair RwandAir between 2012 and 2017, before returning to Ethiopian Airlines Group in 2018 as a board member and rising to chairman in 2022, a position he held until 2023.
He was appointed Acting Chief Executive Officer and Technical Advisor at Uganda Airlines in February 2026 following a directive by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, which cited management weaknesses at the airline and tasked him to work with the board to steady operations as the process of recruiting a substantive CEO continues.
