Kampala has announced a manpower audit at Uganda Airlines (UR, Entebbe) after questions were raised recently about the qualifications of its chief executive officer, Jenifer Bamuturaki.

Minister of Works and Transport Katumba Wamala told lawmakers last week his department had appointed a six-member task team to assess current staffing capacities at the airline. Amongst other things, the team will investigate the extent and effect of staffing gaps; recommend a salary structure for employees at various levels, and establish if the current staffing structure meets requirements as stipulated by the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA).

Importantly, the audit will also determine if staff members have the minimum requirements for their jobs, including the right academic qualifications. The team is expected to report back on its findings in September 2022.

Bamuturaki was grilled by the Ugandan parliament’s Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities, and State Enterprises (COSASE) on August 17, 2022, during which she could not produce the necessary academic certificates. Bamuturaki said she did not apply for the position, but this did not mean she was not qualified or experienced enough to run the company. The former commercial director of the airline, Bamuturaki was appointed acting chief executive officer after former chief executive Cornwell Muleya was fired amid allegations of mismanagement. Uganda Airlines contracted PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) to recruit a new boss with a postgraduate degree in either business or administration, but meanwhile, President Yoweri Museveni ordered that Bamuturaki be confirmed as CEO.

Asked why Bamuturaki was appointed, Katumba said he was directed by Museveni to appoint her. He advised lawmakers to direct their questions to the Head of State.

“I did engage Jenifer on the issue of papers, and I told her that you must submit those documents, and she gave me the assurance that she will submit,” Katumba said. COSASE chairman Joel Ssenyonyi claimed the only qualifications that Bamuturaki had submitted were her school leaver’s certificate, whereas her position required a business-related master’s degree. Bamuturaki told the committee she was currently pursuing a master's degree in public administration and management from Uganda's Makerere University. Still, according to her LinkedIn page, she already attained this qualification between 1994 and 1996.

Meanwhile, appearing before COSASE on August 24, Muleya accused Bamuturaki of over-invoicing the airline when she was serving as the commercial director. “She had over invoiced the airline by up to USD232,000 to pay Abbavater Group for PR and advertising services,” he claimed. Muleya himself is still on trial in Uganda for disobeying the Inspectorate of Government to give evidence on alleged mismanagement at the airline under his tenure. The Inspectorate is an independent institution charged with eliminating corruption and abuse of authority and of public office.

Bamuturaki declined to comment when approached by ch-aviation.