Uganda Airlines CEO rules out mass layoffs, projects break-even by 2030

What the report says

Uganda Airlines Chief Executive Officer Girma Wake has told Parliament that the carrier does not plan mass layoffs as it reshapes its organisation, saying the review is meant to fill key staffing gaps and improve performance. The remarks were made during appearances before the Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE), which is examining the Auditor General’s report and concerns about recruitment, dismissals and financial management at the state-owned airline.

According to the report by The Independent Uganda, MPs pressed management over complaints from former employees and the decision to add new staff while the airline is still missing revenue targets. Wake said most disputed dismissals happened before his tenure and that only a small number of employees had been let go since he became CEO, citing policy breaches and misconduct in those cases. He said the restructuring would not lead to broad job cuts, but instead would support roles the airline needs to operate and sell services more effectively.

Wake pointed to pilots, engineers and commercial staff as especially important to the airline’s recovery. He argued that Uganda Airlines needs more capacity in sales and marketing to improve revenue generation. The article says the airline reached 68.49% of its revenue target in the 2024/2025 financial year, collecting 424.2 billion shillings against a budget of 638.4 billion shillings.

Wake projected that Uganda Airlines could break even around 2030 or 2031 if restructuring and investment efforts succeed. COSASE also raised audit concerns about cash handling at the airline’s Juba office and asked management to submit more documents for review.