Uganda Airlines has officially launched its inaugural direct flight service between Entebbe International Airport and London Gatwick, marking a pivotal moment in the national carrier’s strategic revival and international growth. The route, operated using a state-of-the-art Airbus A330-800neo, landed successfully in the United Kingdom on Sunday, symbolising Uganda’s renewed ambitions in global aviation and economic engagement.
This historic route, the airline’s first into Europe, is scheduled to operate four times a week—on Sundays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays—with return flights departing London on the same days. The move marks a significant milestone for Uganda Airlines, re-established in 2019 after nearly two decades of inactivity, and reflects the government’s commitment to expanding Uganda’s connectivity to international markets.
Leading the high-level delegation on the inaugural flight was Uganda’s Minister of Works and Transport, General Edward Katumba Wamala. The minister was joined by senior officials, including Francis Mwebesa, Minister of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, and the UK High Commissioner to Uganda, Kate Airey. The delegation aims to engage in strategic discussions during their time in the United Kingdom to enhance trade and tourism and attract foreign direct investment.
General Wamala emphasised the economic focus of the mission, stating: “We are not going to London to ask for donations. We are going there to seek investment. We’ll be engaging directly with potential investors, and we must convince them to bring their businesses to Uganda. You are going out there to promote trade. We have what the UK and the world need—you must not come back empty-handed.”
The UK High Commissioner, Ms Airey, welcomed the development, highlighting the significance of the route in strengthening bilateral relations. “There is no better time to be launching a direct flight when our two countries are committed to fostering stronger trade and economic links,” she stated. “I am thrilled to see members of the British Chamber of Commerce booked on this flight, already looking to leverage this new connection to drive investment and trade.”
Uganda Airlines Chief Executive Officer Jennifer Bamuturaki hailed the new route as a major milestone in the airline’s growth strategy. “This new London route marks a major milestone in Uganda Airlines’ expansion strategy and reinforces our mission to connect Uganda to the world,” she said. The route is expected to improve accessibility for tourists, business leaders, and the Ugandan diaspora, significantly contributing to Uganda’s tourism and investment sectors.
Trade between Uganda and the United Kingdom reached approximately $1.1 billion in 2023, according to the UK Department for Business and Trade. This includes both goods and services, with exports from the UK to Uganda and vice versa reflecting mutual economic interests in agriculture, energy, infrastructure, and technology. The new air route is expected to further enhance these flows, offering businesses faster, more reliable logistical options.
The launch also supports Uganda’s broader Vision 2040 development agenda, which emphasises infrastructure, trade, and investment as key pillars of economic transformation. Enhanced air connectivity is viewed as a critical enabler for Uganda’s aspirations to become a regional trade hub and attract sustainable investment from global partners.
Uganda Airlines, which re-entered the skies in 2019, has steadily expanded its network across East and Central Africa and now eyes Europe as a key growth frontier. With a fleet that includes two Airbus A330-800neo aircraft and four Bombardier CRJ-900 regional jets, the airline is positioning itself as a competitive regional and intercontinental carrier.
As the airline’s signature red, black and yellow livery touched down on British soil, it carried not only passengers, but also the aspirations of a nation reasserting its place on the global stage. The success of the London route could serve as a template for further expansion into Europe and beyond, creating pathways for trade, tourism, and transcontinental collaboration.
