Uganda Airlines has appointed Captain Rita Nasirumbi as its first female captain, marking a milestone for women in the country’s aviation industry.
The national carrier announced the development on Tuesday, October 13, saying Nasirumbi had earned her fourth stripe, signifying her promotion to captain.
“Today, we celebrated Captain Rita Nasirumbi, who made history as Uganda’s and Uganda Airlines’ first female captain,” the airline said in a post on X.
The airline described the achievement as a proud moment for the carrier and an inspiration to women aspiring to careers in aviation.
Nasirumbi will serve as pilot-in-command of the airline’s Mitsubishi CRJ900 regional jet, taking responsibility for the aircraft and its operation during flights.
The promotion places her in a leadership role within the cockpit, where captains are responsible for the safe conduct of flights and the coordination of flight operations in accordance with aviation regulations.
Nasirumbi was among the pilots introduced when Uganda Airlines resumed operations in 2019.
Her promotion comes amid efforts to expand women’s participation in aviation, an industry in which women remain underrepresented in flight-deck positions.
In March 2026, the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority joined other aviation stakeholders at a Women in Aviation Gala in Kampala, where industry leaders called for greater access to training, professional development and leadership opportunities for women.
Nasirumbi’s achievement is specific to Uganda Airlines; it does not mean she is the first Ugandan woman to become a captain. Vanita Kayiwa, another Ugandan pilot, previously became a captain at Air Serv Limited before joining Uganda Airlines.