Africa-Press – Uganda. Senior aviation figure Capt. Mike Mukula has urged government to run Uganda Airlines strictly as a commercial enterprise, warning that political interference could undermine the national carrier’s long-term viability.
Mukula made the remarks on Tuesday in a statement shared on his official X (formerly Twitter) account.
“Uganda Airlines can only succeed if it is run as a commercial airline, not as a political project,” Mukula said, arguing that global experience shows national carriers perform best when governance is professional, decisions are data-driven, and management is shielded from political influence.Drawing on continental examples, Mukula cited Ethiopian Airlines as a model worth emulating, pointing to its commercial autonomy, strong capital base, disciplined fleet strategy, and investment in skilled human capital.
“The Ethiopian Airlines model offers a practical African blueprint based on commercial autonomy, strong capitalization, disciplined fleet planning, and world-class human capital,” he said.
Mukula stressed that full capitalization of Uganda Airlines is essential to prevent what he described as survival-mode operations marked by stop-start growth and operational instability.
He also cautioned against rapid fleet expansion, particularly during the airline’s early and consolidation phases, recommending strict fleet discipline to control costs and enhance operational efficiency.“In the early stages, the airline should operate no more than two aircraft types, preferably within one manufacturer family, to reduce training, maintenance, and inventory costs while improving reliability and safety,” he said.On technical capacity, Mukula underscored the importance of establishing an in-house Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility, describing it as a strategic investment that would lower operating costs, strengthen technical independence, and generate future third-party revenue.
He further argued that leadership remains the most critical factor in the airline’s turnaround, calling for the appointment of a seasoned aviation executive with international experience and a clear mandate to run the carrier on commercial principles.
“Uganda Airlines needs a CEO with extensive international airline experience and the authority to manage the business commercially,” Mukula said, adding that the management team should comprise proven professionals in marketing, flight operations, engineering, and financial management.
Mukula concluded that Uganda Airlines can still achieve competitiveness and profitability if governance structures are strengthened and political interference is kept at bay.His comments come at a pivotal moment for the national carrier, as government reviews its leadership and governance framework , reigniting debate over the future direction of Uganda Airlines.
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