The new Board of Directors of Uganda Airlines Company Limited has been inaugurated, with officials cautioning them against corruption, mismanagement and abuse of office.
The seven-member team which include Priscilla Mirembe Serukka (Chairperson), Samson Rwahwire, Herbert Kamuntu, Patrick Ocailap, Barbara Namugambe, Abdi Karim Moding, and Ebrahim Kisoro Sadrudin as initiated after taking the oath of allegiance at Hotel Africana in Kampala on Friday.
Their installation ends the 10-months of rigorous search led by the Ministry of Works, Transport and Communication, together with the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development. Each of the two Ministries holds 50 per cent shares in the airline.
The new board which was approved by Cabinet last month replaces an embattled board led by Perez Ahabwe that was terminated in May 2021 by President Yoweri Museveni following corruption allegations, mismanagement and in-fights.
The new board members where warned against micromanaging the national carrier but rather focus more on effective management with the aim of making a profit for the budding airline.
Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala, the Works and Transport Minister implored the new board to ensure the sustainability of the Airline through compliance, and strategic business expansion plans in both short and long-range aircraft.
In her maiden speech, Priscilla Mirembe Serukka, the Chairperson of the new board pledged to guide the Airline in fulfilling its corporate mission, translate its vision into reality, give strategic direction to management and protect the company assets through transparency and accountability.
PROFILES
Priscilla Mirembe Serukka
Mirembe who is an accomplished senior-level NGO sector management expert in good corporate governance will lead the team for a three-year-long tenancy.
She is an alumnus of Gayaza High School (1977-1983) and holds a degree in Agriculture Economics from Makerere University, and Masters in Management Studies from Uganda Management Institute.
Mirembe is the Managing Director of Kairos Consult Limited, a company known to skill business innovation and leadership.
Samson Rwahwire
He is an associate professor at Busitema University.
His background is in aviation industry, having served in the defunct Eagle Air as aircraft maintenance engineer.
Herbert Kamuntu
Kamutu is the Managing Director, Kachain Logistics Limited.
The company is into distribution and consultancy. He is an aeronautical engineer with 30 years of experience.
Patrick Ocailap
Ocailap is a senior official at the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development. He is also the deputy Secretary to the Treasury.
Barbara Namugambe
Namugembe is the Undersecretary, Ministry of Works and Transport.
Abdi Karim Moding
Moding is the former Country Manager, SITA.
SITA is the IT provider for the air transport industry, delivering solutions for airlines, airports, aircraft and governments and is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.
Ebrahim Kisoro Sadrudin
Kisoro is a flight Captain but is now retired after 45 years of flying.