As part of efforts aimed at strengthening regional connectivity, promoting tourism, facilitating trade and supporting the goals of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Uganda Airlines has unveiled new direct services to Accra, Ghana, and Kigali, Rwanda, in a major expansion of its African network. According to Soft Power, the new routes underscore the national carrier’s ambition to position Entebbe as a key aviation hub linking East and West Africa.
The airline announced that flights to Accra will commence on October 27, 2026, operating four times a week, while daily flights to Kigali will begin on November 18, 2026. The routes were officially launched during a breakfast event at the Sheraton Kampala Hotel, attended by government officials, diplomats, business leaders and aviation stakeholders. Uganda’s Minister of Works and Transport, Fred Byamukama, described the expansion as another milestone in the growth of the national carrier and its contribution to the country’s economic development. “Each new route we open is a bridge that brings our people closer together, fosters economic opportunities and enhances Uganda’s presence on the continental stage,” he said.
Byamukama explained that the choice of Kigali and Accra was strategic. He noted that Kigali strengthens Uganda’s integration within the East African Community (EAC) by facilitating business, tourism and cultural exchanges, while Accra provides direct access to the dynamic West African market and reinforces ties with Ghana. He added that the new services will support the objectives of the AfCFTA by improving the movement of people and goods across the continent. The minister also revealed that the Ugandan government is supporting the airline’s long-term growth through a fleet expansion programme, including an order for eight Boeing aircraft—four Boeing 737s, four Boeing 787 Dreamliners and two cargo aircraft—to meet growing passenger and cargo demand.
Uganda Airlines Chief Executive Officer Ato Girma Wake said the launch of the new routes represents more than network expansion, describing it as a step towards greater African unity and integration. He said the Accra route would create fresh opportunities for trade, tourism and business between Uganda and Ghana while strengthening links with the wider West African region. On the Kigali service, Wake noted that the introduction of daily flights will provide passengers with greater flexibility, including the possibility of same-day return travel for business and official engagements.
Board Chairperson Priscilla Mirembe Sseruka said the new destinations reflect Uganda Airlines’ commitment to sustainable growth and enhanced regional connectivity. She noted that the routes will bring people closer together, support commerce, strengthen tourism, encourage investment and reinforce Uganda’s role within Africa’s expanding aviation network. According to her, both Accra and Kigali serve as strategic gateways that will deepen regional cooperation and economic integration. The Permanent Secretary in Uganda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Vincent Bagiire Waiswa, welcomed the expansion, describing aviation as a critical driver of economic development. He said the Accra route is particularly significant because Ghana hosts the AfCFTA Secretariat, making it an important gateway for trade and investment between East and West Africa.
Rwanda’s High Commissioner to Uganda, Ambassador Joseph Rutabana, said the Kigali route would deepen the longstanding historical, cultural and economic ties between the neighbouring countries. He added that increased flight frequencies are expected to reduce travel costs, improve convenience and encourage more business, tourism and people-to-people exchanges.
Similarly, Ghana’s Honorary Consul to Uganda, Kwame Ejalu, described the Accra service as a historic milestone in bilateral relations. He said the direct connection builds on decades of cooperation between the two countries while advancing the vision of African integration championed by Ghana’s founding President, Kwame Nkrumah. With the addition of Accra and Kigali, Uganda Airlines continues to expand its continental footprint, reinforcing its strategy of connecting Africa to Africa through improved air services that support tourism, trade, investment and regional economic integration.
