Uganda Airlines Chief Executive Officer, Ato Girma, has said the launch of direct flights between Kigali and Entebbe should have happened much earlier, noting that Rwanda and Uganda are neighboring countries with strong historical ties that generate consistent cross-border travel.
The airline announced that the new Entebbe Kigali route will commence on November 18, 2026, with daily flights operating between the two cities.
Uganda Airlines also revealed that it will launch flights to Accra, Ghana, on October 27, 2026, with services operating four times a week.
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CEO Says Route Is Long Overdue
CEO Ato Girma described the Kigali route as long overdue, emphasizing that Kigali is Uganda’s closest capital city.
he said: “In my view, the Kigali route is long overdue. The day we launched Uganda Airlines, we should have immediately started flying to Kigali, as it is the capital city closest to Uganda. Our two countries have so much in common.”
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Flight Operations and Travel Flexibility
The airline will operate the Accra route using a Boeing 737-800, while the daily Kigali service will be operated by a CRJ900 aircraft.
Girma expressed confidence that the route would offer travelers greater flexibility.
he said: “For Rwanda, I believe we will have daily flights, allowing passengers to travel to Rwanda on Rwanda Air and return on Uganda Airlines. They will even be able to make a same-day round trip. Beyond that, Rwandans will enjoy coming here for weekend visits. It will be a great experience for them.”
Strong Bilateral Relations Support Demand
Rwanda and Uganda enjoy strong diplomatic relations and cooperate closely in trade, security, and several other sectors.
Rwanda’s Ambassador to Uganda, Col. Joseph Rutabana, said the launch of Uganda Airlines’ Kigali service marks a significant milestone for trade, tourism, investment, and people-to-people cooperation.
he said: “Rwanda and Uganda are neighboring countries and close partners, sharing deep historical, cultural, and economic ties. Air connectivity is one of the key pillars of this partnership. The Kigali–Entebbe route has consistently recorded strong passenger demand, reflecting growing numbers of business travelers, tourists, government officials, and families traveling between our two countries.”
Boosting Regional Integration
Ambassador Rutabana added that the new service represents an important opportunity for the region, noting that every new air route strengthens connectivity and supports Africa’s broader goals of economic integration and regional cooperation.
Uganda Airlines also announced plans to expand its fleet by acquiring four Boeing 737 MAX aircraft and four Boeing 787 Dreamliners.
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Background of Uganda Airlines
Uganda Airlines is Uganda’s national carrier, re-established to revive the country’s aviation sector after the original Uganda Airlines ceased operations in 2001.
The new airline began operations in 2019 with the objective of connecting Uganda to destinations across Africa and the rest of the world, while promoting trade, tourism, and passenger travel.
Since resuming operations, Uganda Airlines has steadily expanded its route network, increased travel options for passengers, and strengthened Uganda’s position in regional and international aviation.
