Uganda Airlines has launched flights between Entebbe and Accra, Ghana, expanding its network to 18 destinations and strengthening air links between East and West Africa.
Works and Transport Minister Fred Byamukama, who spoke at the launch at Entebbe International Airport, said the new route would strengthen relations between Uganda and Ghana while improving trade and travel between the two countries.
Byamukama described the route as a practical investment in bilateral relations, saying it would create a direct air link between East and West Africa.
He said Africa could not realise its full economic potential if people, goods and services could not move efficiently across the continent.
Despite shared historical and cultural ties, the minister noted that travel restrictions and limited air connectivity continued to hinder movement between African countries.
He said improved air links would help address these challenges and create more opportunities for trade, tourism and business.
Uganda Airlines chief executive officer Girma Wake said the airline was not merely transporting passengers and cargo but also contributing to economic growth and national development.
“We are not just transporting passengers and cargo, but we are an engine of economic growth, prosperity and productivity for the nation,” Wake said.
He described the launch as an important milestone for the airline, saying the new route would extend its reach into West Africa and provide opportunities to connect passengers to more destinations in the region.
Wake said Accra could serve as a gateway to countries such as Senegal and Mauritania, although access to those destinations would depend on available connections.
Meanwhile, Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) Deputy Director General Olive Birungi Lumonya said the launch reflected the growth of Uganda Airlines and had wider significance for the country’s aviation industry.
Lumonya said Uganda Airlines accounted for 30% of passenger traffic at Entebbe International Airport.
“As I speak today, the traffic figures that we have show that Uganda Airlines contributes 30 per cent of passenger traffic at Entebbe International Airport,” she said.
She added that the Civil Aviation Authority was committed to working with the airline’s board and staff to support the continued growth of Uganda’s aviation industry.
The new route is expected to improve connectivity between Uganda and Ghana, making travel easier for business people, tourists and other passengers travelling between the two countries.
