ENTEBBE, Uganda — Uganda Airlines will launch daily scheduled flights between Entebbe and Kigali from November 18, ending years in which Rwanda’s national carrier, RwandAir, has largely dominated direct passenger services on one of East Africa’s busiest business corridors.
The announcement marks one of the airline’s most strategically significant regional expansions since commercial operations resumed in 2019 and comes alongside plans to launch four weekly flights to Accra, Ghana, from October 27, as the carrier seeks to deepen intra-African connectivity.
The expansion reflects Uganda Airlines’ ambition to strengthen Entebbe’s position as a regional aviation hub while increasing competition on routes that have long been controlled by rival national airlines.
For years, RwandAir has remained the only airline consistently operating direct scheduled passenger flights between Uganda and Rwanda.
Although international carriers such as Brussels Airlines, Turkish Airlines and EgyptAir occasionally transport passengers between Kigali and Entebbe through multi-stop international services, none has offered the frequency or dedicated regional focus maintained by RwandAir.
Uganda Airlines’ entry therefore introduces the first sustained competition on the route by another national carrier.
Industry observers say the move could benefit travellers through greater scheduling flexibility and potentially lower fares as both airlines compete for market share.
Acting Chief Executive Officer Girma Wake acknowledged the airline should have entered the market much earlier.
“We started the Kigali route very late. I believe it should have been launched on day one,” he said.
The Entebbe-Kigali corridor links two of East Africa’s fastest-growing economies and supports significant volumes of business travel, government engagements, tourism and conference traffic.
Uganda Airlines said the route would also strengthen regional integration by providing passengers with additional onward connections through Entebbe to destinations across Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East.
“The launch of Accra and Kigali marks another key milestone in Uganda Airlines’ growth strategy,” Wake said.
“As Africa’s connectivity continues to grow, these routes will strengthen commercial and tourism links while offering our guests greater convenience and more travel choices. We remain committed to connecting Africa and supporting regional integration through reliable and efficient air transport.”
The Kigali service will be operated using the airline’s Bombardier CRJ-900 regional jets, while the Accra route will utilise a Boeing 737-800 wet-leased from Ethiopian Airlines.
Rwanda’s High Commissioner to Uganda, John Rutabana, welcomed the launch, saying increased airline competition would benefit travellers.
According to Rutabana, the additional service is expected to widen travel options, improve regional connectivity and potentially reduce ticket prices between the neighbouring countries.
The route is also expected to facilitate stronger commercial ties between the two East African Community member states.
Despite the optimism, analysts say Uganda Airlines faces a difficult commercial task.
RwandAir enters the contest with years of operational experience on the route, established customer loyalty, mature distribution channels and strong brand recognition in both markets.
The relatively short flight time between Kigali and Entebbe has historically encouraged competitive ticket pricing, leaving airlines with limited room to charge premium fares.
Success will therefore depend on maintaining strong passenger numbers, competitive pricing and seamless onward connections through Entebbe.
Uganda Airlines hopes to differentiate itself by integrating Kigali into its expanding African network, allowing travellers to connect conveniently to destinations including Lagos, Abuja, Kinshasa, Juba, Johannesburg, Nairobi and Zanzibar, with future long-haul links expected to include London and other international destinations.
The simultaneous launch of Accra represents another milestone in Uganda Airlines’ continental strategy.
Direct air links between East and West Africa remain relatively limited despite growing trade and investment under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The airline believes the new route will stimulate business travel, tourism and cargo while providing improved access to West African markets.
The route expansion follows Uganda Airlines’ recent agreement with Boeing to purchase eight new aircraft—its first direct order from the American manufacturer.
The order includes:
- Four Boeing 737-8 aircraft for regional and medium-haul operations.
- Four Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners for future long-haul services to Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
Wake said Boeing’s extensive technical support network across Africa influenced the decision.
Also Read: Uganda Airlines orders eight Boeing aircraft in major fleet expansion
“Uganda Airlines chose Boeing because of its stronger support ecosystem in Africa. While Boeing and Airbus aircraft are broadly comparable, easier access to training, simulators and technical support made Boeing the more practical choice.”
Uganda Airlines currently operates a fleet comprising two Airbus A330-800neo aircraft, four Bombardier CRJ-900 regional jets, and one Boeing 737-800 operating under a wet-lease arrangement.
With Kigali and Accra joining its network, the airline is positioning itself to play a larger role in connecting Eastern, Central and West Africa while strengthening Entebbe International Airport’s ambitions of becoming a major regional aviation hub.
