Uganda Airlines has officially announced the launch of its much-anticipated direct flight route from Entebbe International Airport (EBB) to London Gatwick Airport (LGW).
The new flight route set to commence on May 18, 2025, will be operating four times weekly with the modern Airbus A330-800neo.
The announcement, made today, March 20, 2025, by the minister of transport and works, Gen Katumba Wamala, at a press event in Entebbe has been met with enthusiasm from officials and business leaders in both nations.
Adedayo Olawuyi, Chief Commercial Officer of Uganda Airlines, emphasized the strategic importance of the route.
“This new connection will boost trade and tourism while enabling travelers to save time and money on their flights,” Olawuyi stated. “London is not just a destination; it’s a gateway to Europe and beyond, offering seamless opportunities for Ugandan businesses and visitors alike.”
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According to the Uganda High Commission in London, the United Kingdom has long been a key trading partner for Uganda, with bilateral trade valued at over £252 million (approximately 1.1 trillion Ugandan shillings) in 2021.
The UK’s exports to Uganda, worth around £180 million annually, include machinery, pharmaceuticals, and educational services, while Uganda sends coffee, fresh produce, and flowers to British markets.
The direct flights are expected to streamline the export process for Ugandan agro-products, such as pineapples, vegetables, and cut flowers, which are in high demand in the UK.
Shakira Rahim, spokesperson for Uganda Airlines, highlighted the potential of the new development in opening a vast range of opportunities.
“The London route is selling like a hot cake because of schoolchildren going there, but also because we’re exporting agro-products. When we drop them in London, they can be distributed further into Europe,” Shakira said.
This connectivity could reduce transit times and costs, making Ugandan goods more competitive in international markets.
The British High Commissioner to Uganda, HE Lisa Chesney MBE, hailed the new route as a “strategic bridge between two vibrant economies.”
Speaking via a statement shared on X, she noted, “This is a great opportunity to enhance exports and boost both economies. It connects our cultures, people, and opportunities.”
The direct flights are expected to make travel more convenient for the Ugandan diaspora in the UK, estimated at over 100,000 people—while encouraging British tourists to explore Uganda’s rich biodiversity and cultural heritage.
