Uganda Airlines celebrates five years of growth, challenges, and future ambitions

As Uganda Airlines marks its fifth anniversary since the revival of its commercial operations, the journey has been characterized by ambition, resilience, and a commitment to redefining the country's aviation landscape.

From navigating intense competition and operational challenges to achieving significant milestones, Uganda’s national carrier reflects the nation's enduring spirit of innovation and perseverance.

Revived in 2017 after gaining regulatory approval and support from the government, Uganda Airlines took to the skies on August 28, 2019, with its inaugural flight to Nairobi, Kenya.

This historic flight came nearly two decades after the airline ceased operations, offering renewed hope to Ugandan travelers and addressing long-standing issues of high costs, connectivity challenges, and barriers to intra-African trade.

However, the COVID-19 pandemic struck a severe blow to the airline and the global aviation industry, grounding fleets and reducing operations drastically.

Passenger numbers dropped by over 80%, resulting in significant revenue losses during a period when the airline was still establishing itself.

Despite these setbacks, Uganda Airlines has shown remarkable growth.

CEO Jennifer Bamuturaki reports that the airline has flown nearly one million passengers, achieved a 240% increase in passenger growth, a 42% revenue increase, a 52% year-on-year growth, and a 62% increase in cargo services.

The airline now employs 517 staff, 95% of whom are Ugandan nationals.

"We have improved connectivity across Africa, contributing to a 15% growth in intra-African passenger movement," Bamuturaki said.

Vianney Luggya, spokesperson for the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority, noted that the airline had flown 1.069 million passengers by June 2024, compared to 836,000 passengers in the same period in 2019.

This growth is attributed to the addition of direct routes to Mumbai, Lagos, Dubai, and Mogadishu. Cargo services have also significantly expanded, with nearly 197% growth and over 4 million tons of cargo handled.

Bamuturaki highlighted the airline's commitment to sustainability, using recyclable and biodegradable materials in aircraft interiors and implementing cost-saving measures such as self-handling services at Entebbe Airport, which saves around $400,000 monthly.

"As we expand, we are focused on managing our own operations, which reflects our investment in trained personnel," she said.

The airline has also launched direct routes to Lusaka, Abuja, and Harare, bringing its total destinations to 16, with plans to add four more by the end of 2024.

Bamuturaki emphasized that the airline’s 10-year strategic plan includes expanding its fleet by acquiring eight additional aircraft, comprising four mid-range, two wide-body, and two freighters.

Amos Wekesa, CEO of Great Lakes Safaris, stressed the need for developing domestic airports to promote tourism.

"We need to improve our aerodromes and develop airports in Kasese, Arua, and Gulu into international hubs," Wekesa urged.

Uganda is also working on 56 bilateral air service agreements to join the Single African Air Transport Market, a regional initiative aimed at enhancing connectivity and global competitiveness.

"The government is in advanced stages of signing up, which will bring significant benefits for national airlines," Luggya said.

With a clear vision for the future, Uganda Airlines is poised to continue its growth trajectory, focusing on sustainability, expansion, and enhancing connectivity across Africa and beyond.