Girma Wake.
The incoming Chief Executive Officer of Uganda Airlines, Girma Wake, will earn significantly less than his predecessor, according to sources close to State House.
Outgoing CEO Jennifer Bamuturaki was earning about Shs 87 million per month, but Mr Wake reportedly negotiated a salary that is nearly six times lower, pegged at approximately Shs 15 million monthly.
The revelation was made by Nelly Bwire, a senior aide to President Yoweri Museveni, who said the new CEO deliberately opted for a modest pay package as part of broader reforms at the national carrier.
Among the key changes Mr Wake is expected to oversee is a restructuring of staff remuneration to ensure employees earn what has been described as a “reasonable salary,” in line with the airline’s financial realities.
Wake, a veteran aviation executive and former CEO of Ethiopian Airlines, is widely credited with turning the airline into one of Africa’s most successful carriers. His appointment has raised expectations of tighter financial discipline and operational efficiency at Uganda Airlines, which has faced scrutiny over high operating costs.
The sharp contrast in pay between the outgoing and incoming CEOs has already sparked public debate, with some observers viewing the move as a strong signal of a shift toward cost containment and accountability within state-owned enterprises.
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