UCAA Celebrates Historic Milestone As Rita Nasirumbi Becomes Uganda Airlines’ First Female Captain

By Our Reporter
Uganda’s aviation industry has recorded a historic milestone after Captain Rita Nasirumbi became the first female captain at Uganda Airlines, the country’s national carrier. Her promotion marks a major achievement for women in aviation and demonstrates that women can rise to the highest levels of leadership in an industry that has traditionally been dominated by men.

The achievement has attracted attention from across the aviation sector, with the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) and other industry stakeholders continuing to support efforts aimed at increasing women’s participation in aviation. Nasirumbi’s promotion is expected to inspire young women who dream of becoming pilots and taking up leadership positions in the industry.

Uganda Airlines announced the development on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, celebrating Nasirumbi for reaching the rank of captain. The airline revealed that she had earned her fourth stripe, a symbol that marks her promotion from first officer to captain.
In a message shared on its official X account, Uganda Airlines celebrated the achievement, describing Nasirumbi as Uganda Airlines’ first female captain. The announcement marked an important moment for the national carrier, which has continued to develop its workforce and expand its operations since returning to the skies in 2019.
As captain, Nasirumbi will serve as the pilot-in-command of the airline’s Mitsubishi CRJ900 regional jet. This position comes with significant responsibility because the captain is in charge of the aircraft and its operations during a flight. She will be responsible for making important operational decisions, overseeing flight safety and ensuring that the aircraft is operated in line with established aviation regulations.

Becoming an airline captain requires extensive training, experience, technical knowledge and the ability to make critical decisions under pressure. Captains must demonstrate strong leadership while coordinating with other crew members to ensure the safe transportation of passengers and cargo. Nasirumbi’s promotion therefore represents years of professional development and a significant step forward in her aviation career.

Nasirumbi was among the pilots introduced when Uganda Airlines resumed operations in 2019. Since then, she has continued to build her career with the national carrier, eventually reaching a position that makes her a trailblazer for women working within the airline. Her achievement also highlights the importance of creating opportunities for qualified women to advance into senior positions across the aviation industry.

The development comes as aviation stakeholders continue to encourage more women to pursue careers as pilots, engineers, air traffic controllers and aviation managers. In March 2026, the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority joined other industry players at a Women in Aviation Gala in Kampala, where the need to improve women’s access to professional training, career development and leadership opportunities was highlighted.
Although Nasirumbi is the first woman to become a captain at Uganda Airlines, she is not the first Ugandan woman to attain the rank of airline captain. Captain Vanita Kayiwa previously achieved captain status while working with Air Serv Limited before joining Uganda Airlines. Nevertheless, Nasirumbi’s promotion remains a significant milestone for the national carrier and adds to the growing list of Ugandan women making their mark in aviation.

Her story sends an encouraging message to young girls and women who may wish to enter careers that have traditionally been viewed as male-dominated. It demonstrates that with the necessary qualifications, experience and determination, women can compete for opportunities and rise through the ranks in demanding professional fields.
As Uganda Airlines continues to strengthen its position in the aviation industry, Nasirumbi’s achievement provides an important example of women’s progress within the national carrier. Her appointment as captain is not only a personal career milestone but also a moment of pride for Uganda’s aviation sector and a source of inspiration for the next generation of female pilots.