Minister of Works Transport -General Edward Katumba Wamala in the middle with other officials during the launch
In a landmark development for Uganda’s aviation and economic sectors, Uganda Airlines has officially launched direct flights between Entebbe International Airport and London Gatwick Airport.
The inaugural flight took off on Sunday, May 18, 2025, marking a significant milestone in the national carrier’s international expansion strategy.
This direct connection is not just a logistical convenience—it is a powerful symbol of deepening bilateral ties, increased trade and investment opportunities, and a much-needed boost to the tourism sector.
Strengthening Uganda–UK Connectivity
The launch of this route reaffirms Uganda Airlines’ strategic ambitions to enhance its global footprint. With London now firmly on its destination list, the airline has added a key global aviation hub to its network.
The nonstop service, operated by the cutting-edge Airbus A330-800neo, is scheduled to fly four times a week—on Sundays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
The outbound flight departs Entebbe at 9:25 AM on Sundays, 12:05 AM on Tuesdays, 12:25 AM on Wednesdays, and 3:10 AM on Fridays, arriving in London between 4:55 AM and 10:40 AM local time.
These same-day return flights have been carefully scheduled to ensure seamless connections from London to Uganda and onward to other key African cities.
Uganda Airlines CEO Jenifer Bamuturaki emphasized the significance of this milestone, describing it as a carefully executed plan that has been years in the making.
“This new route connects Uganda to one of the world’s busiest and most strategic aviation hubs. On the return leg, flight times are synchronized to ensure smooth connections across our growing African network, linking passengers from London to key destinations in East, Central, and West Africa,” she said.
She added that the airline is proud to be the first to operate the Airbus A330-800neo into London Gatwick and is equally proud of its commitment to sustainable aviation, including the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) on return flights.
Ramathan Ggoobi the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Finance Planning and Economic Development
A Strategic Move for Trade, Tourism, and Diaspora Relations
The London route becomes Uganda Airlines’ 17th destination and marks the 13th country it serves. It is also the longest route in the airline’s network, covering approximately 6,464 kilometers (3,360 nautical miles) with an average flight time of nine and a half hours.
The launch follows the successful rollout of flights to Abuja, Lusaka, and Harare in the second half of 2024, routes which feed directly into Entebbe’s hub and expand the airline’s connectivity across Africa.
According to Bamuturaki, the London route is designed to cater to Uganda’s expanding diaspora, business community, and tourism market.
“These schedules have been crafted to support onward travel to Europe and North America. On the return leg, the timing supports easy connections to cities across East, Central, and West Africa,” she explained.
This development comes at a critical time, with trade and tourism ties between Uganda and the UK on a steady rise.
Data from the Uganda Bureau of Statistics indicates that the UK remains Uganda’s largest source market for tourism from Europe, accounting for 27% of all European arrivals in 2024.
With direct flights now in place, this figure is projected to grow even further, positively impacting the country’s hospitality, transport, and service industries.
Katie Crosby from London, General Edward Katumba Wamala Minister for works and transport and Jenifer Bamuturaki CEO Uganda Airlines
Boosting Bilateral Trade and Investment
The economic impact of this new route extends beyond tourism. Figures from the British High Commission in Kampala show that total trade between Uganda and the UK reached GBP 860 million (approximately sh4.2b) in 2023.
Over the past five years, Uganda has cumulatively exported goods worth GBP 2.3 billion to the UK. The direct flight significantly reduces transit times, making it easier and faster for Ugandan goods—such as fish, coffee, fruit, vegetables, and flowers—to reach British markets.
The Minister of Works and Transport, Hon. Gen. Katumba Wamala, hailed the development as a critical milestone in the country’s national transport and economic infrastructure.
“This is more than a flight; it is a bridge for business, investment, and people-to-people connections. When His Excellency President Yoweri Museveni championed the revival of Uganda Airlines in 2015, his vision was to create direct air links that reduce travel time. Today’s launch brings that vision closer to full realization,” said Gen. Wamala.
He highlighted the inaugural flight’s successful cargo shipment and strong passenger bookings as clear indicators of pent-up demand in the market.
A Win for Exporters and the Tourism Sector
With the elimination of layovers, exporters can now deliver cargo more efficiently, saving time and money while ensuring the freshness of perishable goods. Gen. Wamala noted that this is especially critical for industries such as floriculture and agribusiness, where delays can lead to significant losses. He also pointed out the importance of this route in supporting Uganda’s thriving tourism sector. “The UK remains one of Uganda’s largest source markets for inbound tourism. This direct flight makes it more convenient than ever for British tourists to explore Uganda’s diverse natural attractions, from the mountain gorillas to the source of the Nile. We anticipate a strong boost in tourism arrivals and associated revenues,” he said.
Aircraft Innovation and Sustainable Commitment
The Airbus A330-800neo is at the heart of Uganda Airlines’ long-haul operations. This advanced aircraft offers a superior passenger experience, combining modern cabin features, fuel efficiency, and extended range. Gabriel Semelas, President of Airbus Africa & Middle East, praised Uganda Airlines for achieving this important milestone. “It’s an honor for Airbus to see Uganda Airlines launch its inaugural direct Entebbe-London route with the A330-800. This milestone truly showcases how the A330neo delivers superior quality, efficiency, and operational reliability, all while significantly boosting East Africa’s global connections,” Semelas stated.
Uganda Airlines has already received global recognition for its young and modern fleet. Since beginning commercial operations in August 2019, the carrier has won the “Ch-Aviation Youngest Aircraft Fleet Award in the World” for five consecutive years—a testament to its commitment to operational excellence and environmental responsibility.
Diplomatic Backing and Business Excitement
The launch has also received strong backing from diplomatic circles. The British High Commissioner to Uganda, HE Lisa Chesney, welcomed the development as timely and essential. “There is no better time to be launching this flight than now, when our two countries are committed to fostering stronger trade and economic ties,” she said.
She expressed optimism that the direct flights would enable Uganda to increase its share of the UK’s billion-pound coffee market and make Ugandan exports more competitive by reducing shipping time and costs.
Chesney acknowledged the collaborative effort between various stakeholders in both Uganda and the UK that made the flight possible.
Katie Crosby and Jenifer Bamuturaki
She particularly praised the female-led teams that brought the project to life, including Katie Crosby in London, Jenifer Bamuturaki of Uganda Airlines, and Olive from the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority. “This is a great example of female leadership delivering impactful results,” she noted.
The High Commissioner also revealed that the inaugural flight coincides with the East Africa Trade and Investment Forum in London, scheduled for May 21–22. “We are flying to London on a mission to promote Uganda, Ugandan investment opportunities, and to forge new connections between government and private sector. Uganda Airlines is organizing an event in London to celebrate this achievement,” she said.
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