Uganda Airlines will launch direct scheduled flights to Kigali and Accra, adding two strategic destinations to its African network as the state-owned carrier accelerates expansion ahead of a major fleet renewal programme.
The airline said the new services, due to begin later this year, will strengthen trade, tourism and investment links while reinforcing Entebbe’s position as a regional aviation hub connecting East, West and Southern Africa.
The announcement comes as Uganda Airlines embarks on its most ambitious growth phase since its revival in 2019.
The carrier recently signed a Shs3.7 trillion ($982 million) agreement with Boeing to acquire 10 new passenger and cargo aircraft, including Boeing 737 MAX and 787 Dreamliner jets, as it seeks to expand capacity and open new international routes.
Accra becomes Uganda Airlines’ second destination in West Africa after Lagos, giving the airline access to one of the continent’s fastest-growing commercial and financial centres.
Kigali, meanwhile, strengthens connectivity within the East African Community by linking two of the region’s fastest-growing economies while offering passengers onward connections through Entebbe to destinations in Africa, Europe, the Middle East and Asia.
“The launch of Accra and Kigali marks another key milestone in Uganda Airlines’ growth strategy,” Acting Chief Executive Officer Ato Girma Wake said this Wednesday morning.
“As Africa’s connectivity continues to grow, these routes will strengthen commercial and tourism links while offering our guests greater convenience and more travel choices. We remain committed to connecting Africa and supporting regional integration through reliable and efficient air transport.”
Beyond passenger travel, the airline said the routes will expand its cargo network by providing exporters and importers with faster access to markets in East and West Africa, supporting the movement of fresh produce, manufactured goods and other time-sensitive cargo.
Uganda Airlines currently serves destinations across East, Central, Southern and West Africa, as well as London, Dubai and Mumbai.
The addition of Kigali and Accra continues the carrier’s strategy of building an intra-African network while using Entebbe as a hub for onward international connections.
The expansion comes as African airlines position themselves to benefit from the gradual implementation of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), which aims to liberalise air travel across the continent by improving connectivity, reducing travel times and lowering the cost of doing business.
For Uganda, stronger air links are increasingly viewed as critical to boosting exports, attracting investment and supporting the country’s tourism industry, particularly as commercial oil production and regional trade are expected to increase demand for business travel and air cargo services.
