Uganda Airlines chief finance officer Allan Joel Kyeyune is facing questions over his professional qualifications and the reporting structure of the airline’s procurement function, amid continuing concerns over leadership and management at the national carrier.
Documents seen by The Observer indicate that the manager/director of procurement was reporting to the chief finance officer, despite guidance from the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Authority (PPDA) that the head of procurement should report directly to the airline’s accounting officer.
The controversy has emerged following the airline’s decision not to renew the contract of former procurement director Alex Odwong, whose contract expired in January 2026.
Prior to Odwong’s departure, the procurement manager reportedly reported to the CFO. However, former Uganda Airlines chief executive officer Jennifer Bamuturaki directed that the procurement function report directly to her.
On January 20, 2026, Uganda Airlines company secretary and head of legal, Susan Kagwa Batuuka, wrote to PPDA seeking clarification on the appropriate reporting structure for the procurement function.
In response, Canon Benson Tiryame, PPDA executive director, clarified that the head of procurement is expected to report directly to the CEO, who serves as the accounting officer. Odwong subsequently followed the PPDA guidance until the expiry of his contract.
Following the expiry of Odwong’s contract, the airline’s human resource and corporate services department reportedly resolved to extend his contract for another year, partly because he had not received performance appraisals for the previous year.
However, the proposed extension was not implemented. Documents indicate that Kyeyune notified Odwong on December 17 and 24, 2025, that his employment contract would not be renewed when it expires on January 2, 2026.
In a letter dated December 24, 2025, acting director of human resources Annet Apio told Odwong that he should not report to work after the expiry of his contract. Odwong subsequently appealed against the decision.
Apio later informed him that the board and management had reviewed his appeal but maintained that his fixed-term contract had ended by effluxion of time.
“The board of directors and management reviewed your appeal and noted that your contract of employment was a fixed-term contract which terminated by effluxion of time,” Apio said.
She further told Odwong that the airline was not required to give him a hearing or reasons before declining to renew his fixed-term contract. The airline also demanded a refund after discovering that Odwong had been paid a salary in January 2026 despite his contract having expired.
“You were erroneously paid a salary at the end of January 2026, notwithstanding that your contract had expired and you did not render services during that period,” Apio said, asking him to refund the money within 30 days.
She also instructed Odwong to hand over all company property in his possession and complete an exit interview with the human resources department.
The dispute has since raised questions over the role of the CFO in the procurement function because under the PPDA framework, the head of a Procuring and Disposal Unit in a government entity is expected to report directly to the accounting officer.
The accounting officer has overall responsibility for the execution of procurement and disposal processes within the procuring and disposing entity. Kyeyune is also facing questions over his professional qualifications.
Section 34(2) of the Accountants Act, Cap. 294, provides that heads of accounts, finance and internal audit in public and private sector entities with public interest are required to be members of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Uganda (ICPAU), in accordance with regulations made under the law.
A government circular dated July 8, 2015, also sets out professional requirements for heads of accounts, finance and internal audit in public sector entities, including membership of ICPAU.
ACADEMIC DOCUMENTS
In a letter dated August 10, 2026, addressed to Uganda Airlines chief executive officer Girma Wake, ICPAU chief executive officer Derrick Nkajja raised concerns about Kyeyune’s status.
“Upon reviewing our register, we found that Kyeyune is not a member of ICPAU, as required by law. We, therefore, highlight this matter to you for your action,” Nkajja said.
The letter puts Kyeyune’s professional status at the centre of questions over whether he meets the statutory requirements for heading the finance function at the national airline.
The developments come as Uganda Airlines continues to face scrutiny over its financial performance, management and governance. The airline has made substantial investments in fleet expansion and regional and international routes, but has continued to rely on government support to sustain its operations.
The latest concerns raise questions about compliance with public procurement and professional standards at an entity wholly owned by the government.
Interviewed for this story, Kyeyune said, “Stop calling me. We have public relations person. You call them.”
Shakila Rahim Lamar, head of public relations and corporate affairs at Uganda Airlines was not available for comment.