Uganda Airlines is set to launch flights between Entebbe and Accra, Ghana, starting next Tuesday, marking the airline’s first scheduled route to Ghana.
This initiative is a crucial part of the airline’s strategy to establish Entebbe as a connecting hub for East, Central, and West Africa.
The airline announced that the Accra flights will begin on October 27, 2026, followed by flights to Kigali on November 18, 2026.
This expansion will increase its network to 19 destinations across Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Europe, including London Gatwick.
Although the airline is marketing this service as a direct flight, it includes a stopover in Lagos, Nigeria.
According to the schedule, the Entebbe–Lagos–Accra route will operate four times a week using a Boeing 737-800, which is wet-leased from Ethiopian Airlines and not part of Uganda Airlines’ own fleet.
The airline had already initiated flights between Entebbe and Lagos in October 2023, highlighting Nigeria’s significant size as a natural connection point between East and West Africa.
In terms of pricing, Uganda Airlines is offering a promotional return fare of $550 (approximately Shs 2.3 million).
Currently, travelers between Uganda and Ghana typically connect through Nairobi with Kenya Airways or Addis Ababa with Ethiopian Airlines. Return fares on Kenya Airways range from Shs 2.4 million to Shs 3.8 million, while Ethiopian Airlines fares range from Shs 2.2 million to Shs 3.3 million, varying based on demand and booking time. Generally, fares decrease when tickets are purchased well in advance.
The Works and Transport Minister Fred Byamukama stated that improved air links between East and West Africa could enhance trade and investment, especially under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
He pointed out that trade and tourism between the two regions are currently low, partially due to inadequate air connections, describing the choice of Kigali and Accra as “deliberate and strategic.”
Acting Chief Executive Girma Wake emphasized that the airline aims to connect markets across regions rather than simply transporting passengers to individual destinations.
“We had flights coming from Bombay, Dubai, and London that connected to nowhere. Now we have made that connection possible,” he said.
He anticipates that Entebbe will facilitate the onward travel of West African passengers to destinations such as India, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Tanzania.
He mentioned that wide-body flights arriving from outside Africa will coincide with outgoing flights at Entebbe to facilitate traffic exchange.
These routes are part of a Shs 3.7 trillion expansion plan. In July, at the Farnborough International Airshow, Uganda Airlines made its first direct purchase from Boeing, securing four 737-8s and four 787-9 Dreamliners.
This order is central to a 10-aircraft expansion plan, which will also include two dedicated cargo freighters to boost exports and regional trade.
The airline has faced capacity challenges, currently operating two A330-800neos, four CRJ-900 regional jets, and a leased 737-800.
The gap between its small and large aircraft has rendered some routes difficult to operate profitably.
This expansion follows previous disruptions, with flights to Kinshasa having been suspended due to health concerns and remaining grounded, although the route is listed in the airline’s near-term plans.
Dubai flights were briefly halted due to armed conflict in the region but have since resumed.
