FAMReports News Desk | August 2025
Uganda Airlines is set to expand its operations into domestic travel next year, marking a major milestone since its revival in 2019. According to the national carrier’s Chief Executive Officer, Ms. Jenifer Bamuturaki, the new routes will initially target strategic regional cities including Arua, Gulu, and Kasese.
The airline says the move is aimed at boosting both the business travel sector and Uganda’s growing tourism industry. Currently, tourists arriving at Entebbe International Airport often face long hours of road travel before reaching the country’s most iconic attractions. By introducing domestic flights, Uganda Airlines intends to bridge this gap.
“We are looking at tourism aircraft landing in those destinations so that when we bring people in, we take them straight. We are looking at starting in the next financial year,” Ms. Bamuturaki explained.
Cutting Travel Time for Tourism
The airline believes these flights will be a game-changer for Uganda’s tourism industry. Regional hubs like Kasese provide access to the Rwenzori Mountains and Queen Elizabeth National Park, while Arua and Gulu serve both business and tourism needs in northern Uganda.
By providing direct domestic connections, Uganda Airlines hopes to position itself as a central player in making Uganda more accessible to both international visitors and local business travelers.
Since its relaunch six years ago, the airline has expanded rapidly from just four routes to 17 destinations across Africa and beyond. “We started with four routes, now we are doing 17. We began with five flights a day, and now we are up to 26 flights a day — about 580 flights a week. That should tell you we are the biggest player at Entebbe because we are domiciled here,” Ms. Bamuturaki emphasized.
The announcement comes on the eve of Uganda Airlines’ sixth anniversary celebrations, marking progress in its efforts to reclaim a strong presence in regional aviation.
A Milestone in Engineering Capacity
Alongside plans for domestic expansion, Uganda Airlines has achieved another significant milestone: conducting its first-ever in-house engine change.
The technical operation, completed on a CRJ 900 Bombardier aircraft (registration 5X-KNP), involved replacing the number one engine with a new spare. The removed engine will be shipped back to the manufacturer for modifications before being reused.
While engine changes are routine in aviation maintenance, this was the first to be performed entirely by Uganda Airlines’ own Approved Maintenance Organisation (AMO) team. Until now, the airline had relied on foreign companies for such critical technical services.
“This is the first time we are having an engine change in Uganda, but the teams that are doing it have done it multiple times before with other airlines. For us, it is a milestone,” Ms. Bamuturaki noted.
Cost Savings and Local Expertise
The successful operation highlights not only Uganda Airlines’ technical capacity but also its potential for cost-cutting.
Mr. Peter Emuge, Head of Engineering, revealed that the combined experience of the team responsible amounted to nearly 100 years. He assured passengers that such expertise guarantees safety and adherence to the highest international standards.
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Carrying out maintenance locally is also expected to save the airline between USD 80,000 and USD 100,000 per engine change, excluding the costs of ferrying aircraft abroad for servicing.
Mr. Joseph Lukwago, Head of Line Maintenance, stressed that the operation was a matter of both pride and strategic independence. “We started doing our own maintenance last March after Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) approved us to conduct our own operations. We took over from SAMCO, a Dutch company. It gives us an opportunity to train our staff further and build our own technical base,” he said.
Balancing Growth with Financial Challenges
Despite these milestones, Uganda Airlines continues to face serious financial pressures. The 2023/24 Auditor General’s Report recorded a loss of Shs 237.8 billion, attributed largely to high operational costs.
Ms. Bamuturaki acknowledged the challenges but expressed optimism that strategic reforms, cost-saving measures, and the airline’s new routes will strengthen performance.
The airline also recently welcomed a newly appointed Board of Directors tasked with steering it toward recovery and sustainability. The board members include:
Ms. Priscilla Mirembe Serukka
Ms. Barbara Namugambe
Mr. Patrick Ocailap
Mr. Abdi Karim Moding
Mr. Constant Othieno Mayende
Mr. Herbert Kamuntu
Mr. Samson Rwahwire
According to Ms. Bamuturaki, this leadership team has prioritized strategies that will expand the airline’s market share, enhance operational efficiency, and ensure long-term viability.
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With domestic flights on the horizon and technical capacity improving, Uganda Airlines is positioning itself as both a competitive regional carrier and a symbol of national pride.
The addition of domestic routes promises to integrate Uganda’s regions more closely with Entebbe International Airport, boosting trade, tourism, and regional connectivity. Meanwhile, the success of the engineering team represents an important step toward reducing operational costs and building in-house technical expertise.
As Uganda Airlines marks its sixth anniversary, it faces the dual challenge of managing financial losses while also expanding operations. How well it navigates this balance may determine whether it fully reclaims its place as the flagship carrier Uganda envisioned when it relaunched six years ago.
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