Uganda Airlines Kigali flights are set to begin on November 18, marking the national carrier’s entry into one of East Africa’s busiest air corridors while also expanding its network with new services to Accra, Ghana.
The airline announced that it will operate daily direct flights between Entebbe and Kigali from November 18. It will also introduce four weekly flights to Accra starting October 27.
The twin route launch forms part of Uganda Airlines’ strategy to strengthen its presence across Africa by connecting destinations it says have been underserved within its network.
For travellers, the Entebbe to Kigali flights represent more than just another destination on the route map.
Uganda Airlines has not previously operated direct scheduled passenger services between the Ugandan and Rwandan capitals.
For years, RwandAir has been the only airline consistently offering nonstop scheduled passenger flights on the route.
While airlines including Brussels Airlines, Turkish Airlines and EgyptAir have carried passengers between Kigali and Entebbe through multi-stop international services, none has provided the same level of direct focus on the market.
That changes in November when Uganda Airlines enters the route with daily services using its Bombardier CRJ-900 regional jet fleet.
Meanwhile, the new Uganda Airlines Accra flights will operate four times each week using a Boeing 737-800 wet leased from Ethiopian Airlines and registered ET-APL.
According to the airline, both Kigali and Accra were selected because they present opportunities in business travel, tourism, trade and investment.
The Accra service is also expected to strengthen commercial links under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), while improving access for business and cargo movement between East and West Africa.
Uganda Airlines says the Kigali service is intended to improve connections between two neighbouring economies while giving passengers easier access to destinations beyond Entebbe.
The airline says travellers will be able to connect through Entebbe to destinations across Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Europe.
It also believes Kigali presents opportunities in business travel, government travel, conference travel and tourism.
Rwanda’s High Commissioner to Uganda, John Rutabana, welcomed the introduction of the new route.
The airline says both Kigali and Accra have remained under-connected to much of Eastern and Southern Africa through its network until now.
The expansion comes shortly after Uganda Airlines signed an agreement with Boeing to purchase eight new aircraft as part of its long-term fleet growth plans.
The order includes four Boeing 737-8 aircraft intended for regional, Middle Eastern and Indian routes.
It also includes four Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners for future long-haul operations.
Acting Chief Executive Officer Girma Wake said the Kigali route should have been introduced much earlier.
“We started the Kigali route very late. I believe it should have been launched on day one.”
Wake also described the latest expansion as another important step for the airline.
“The launch of Accra and Kigali marks another key milestone in Uganda Airlines’ growth strategy.”
He added that the new destinations fit within the airline’s broader ambition of improving travel across the continent.
“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.”
Wake also explained why Uganda Airlines recently chose Boeing for its 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 resumed commercial operations in 2019. Its current fleet consists of two Airbus A330-800neo aircraft, four Bombardier CRJ-900 regional jets and one wet-leased Boeing 737-800.
The addition of Kigali and Accra continues the airline’s efforts to increase capacity while expanding regional aviation links.
The Kigali launch is also notable because it introduces direct competition on a route where RwandAir has long been the dominant nonstop operator.
Whether that competition eventually results in lower fares has not been confirmed.
Similarly, future passenger demand, the commercial performance of the two new routes and the timeline for planned long-haul destinations, including London, have not been officially announced.
The first milestone will come on October 27 when Uganda Airlines begins four weekly services to Accra. Daily Uganda Airlines Kigali flights will then commence on November 18.
The airline says the expansion supports its wider strategy of increasing intra-African connectivity and positioning Entebbe International Airport as a stronger regional aviation hub.
As the new routes come online, they will represent another chapter in Uganda Airlines’ ongoing network expansion while reinforcing the carrier’s commitment to improving connections across Africa through its growing route network.
