Andrew Mwenda praised Museveni and his son General Muhoozi Kainerugaba this week for firing Jenifer Bamuturaki as Uganda Airlines CEO, calling the move a big save for the national carrier that’s been losing money hand over fist.
The outspoken journalist posted his thanks loudly on social media, crediting the president and the army chief for stepping in decisively against what he labelled corruption and poor running of the airline.
Mwenda didn’t stop at cheers. He went straight to ideas, pushing for experts from Ethiopian Airlines to take over – naming former boss Girma Wake as a possible board chair and the current one, whose contract ends soon, as new CEO.
“Today is a day for Ugandans to celebrate,” he wrote, promising good staff get jobs back and wrongdoers face justice. His post blew up quick, shares and comments pouring in as people weighed the shake-up.
The dismissal hit headlines hard. Bamuturaki stepped away amid questions over money handling and planes sitting idle. Reports say Museveni acted directly, with some whispering Muhoozi pushed behind the scenes for a clean sweep.
Uganda Airlines launched big a few years back to fly the flag proudly, but losses piled high – grounded aircraft, delayed routes, staff gripes. Auditors flagged issues, Parliament grilled officials, and now this change at the top.
Online, reactions split clean. Plenty backed Mwenda, saying finally somebody tackles waste in public companies. “Thank you for saving our airline,” one commenter wrote.
Others nodded at the Ethiopian idea – that the carrier turns steady profits and knows African skies inside out. Bringing their know-how could fix routes, cut costs, and get birds flying full.
But not everybody clapped. Some called Mwenda too close to power, spinning the sack as a hero move while deeper problems linger – debt and competition from big players like Kenya Airways or Ethiopians themselves.
One post asked sharply: why praise when the airline struggled for years under the same watch? Opposition voices muttered about timing, post-election clean image or family ties with Muhoozi in the spotlight.
Mwenda stays no stranger to bold takes. He’s slammed governments before and praised when he sees fit. This time, his words landed amid wider chats on fixing state firms – from power cuts to road delays, Ugandans want results. The airline matters personally too: pride in cranes on tails, hope for cheap flights home.
Bamuturaki has kept low since the news broke. She defended records before, pointing to new routes opened and pandemic hits. Staff mixed – some relieved, others worried shake-ups mean job cuts. The board searches for new blood now; Ethiopian names are floating seriously.
At street level in Kampala or Entebbe, people talk it over on matatu rides or office breaks. “About time,” one driver said, tired of delays. Another shrugged: “Let’s see if planes fly better now.” Social pages are filled with memes – Mwenda as a saviour in a cape, or questions on who really calls the shots.
This shake-up signals more than one job. Uganda pushes growth, tourism, and trade – a reliable airline helps all. If Ethiopian hands steer, it could mean a turnaround story. Or just another chapter in public company woes.
Mwenda’s praise keeps debate alive, reminding leaders eyes watch close. For ordinary Ugandans, hope stays simple: safer skies, fuller flights, and money spent right. Time shows if this sack delivers that. Country waits, conversations rolling on.
