Rita Nasirumbi is Uganda Airlines’ first female captain.
Nasirumbi will command the Mitsubishi CRJ900 regional jet after joining the national carrier as a First Officer in April 2019.
Uganda Airlines has named Rita Nasirumbi its first female captain, marking a milestone for the national carrier. She will now command the Mitsubishi CRJ900 regional jet, the airline announced.
Nasirumbi joined Uganda National Airlines Company in April 2019 as one of its pioneering female cockpit crew members. She initially served as a First Officer on the same aircraft type.
Rita Nasirumbi advances to aircraft command
The airline celebrated her promotion on its official social media pages, describing it as a proud moment. It also expressed hope that her progress would encourage more women to pursue aviation careers.
Her appointment takes her from the First Officer role into command of the regional aircraft. As captain, she will make critical operational decisions and oversee flight safety.
Reaching that rank typically requires extensive flying experience, technical expertise and rigorous assessments. The role therefore marks a significant step in a commercial pilot’s career.
A career linked to the airline’s rebuilding
Nasirumbi joined the carrier during its rebuilding phase, before it resumed operations in August 2019. That return followed nearly two decades out of service.
Her progression from First Officer to captain is therefore part of Uganda Airlines’ modern history. She began with the airline ahead of its relaunch and now takes on a leadership role in the cockpit.
Encouraging more women into aviation
Beyond the airline’s own milestone, Nasirumbi’s appointment highlights women’s advancement in a historically male-dominated industry. Greater female representation in commercial aviation also remains an important industry goal across Africa.
Uganda Airlines congratulated her and said it hoped her journey would inspire more women to fly. Its celebration placed her achievement alongside that wider ambition for women’s participation in aviation.
