Gen Muhoozi, Uganda Airlines Chief Discuss National Carrier Strategic Plan

Uganda Airlines’ executive leadership has briefed Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba on the national carrier’s strategic growth plans, outlining measures aimed at strengthening operations, expanding connectivity and building the airline’s capacity for long-term commercial sustainability.

The leadership team, led by Acting Chief Executive Officer Girma Wake, met Gen. Kainerugaba at the Special Forces Command Headquarters in Entebbe on Monday, August 24, 2026.

The delegation included Chief Finance Officer Allan Joel Kyeyune, Acting Manager for Human Resource and Administration Anne Apio, and Acting Chief Commercial Officer Shakila Lamar Rahim.

The briefing comes at a significant stage in Uganda Airlines’ development, with management pursuing operational and structural reforms intended to improve corporate governance, strengthen day-to-day reliability and position the national carrier for sustainable growth.

Recent developments have placed Uganda Airlines on an ambitious expansion path. In July, the carrier announced an order for eight Boeing aircraft—four 737-8s and four 787-9 Dreamliners—to modernise and expand its fleet while responding to growing regional and international demand.

Management’s strategy extends beyond fleet expansion. The airline is seeking to optimise the performance of its existing aircraft while broadening its network from Entebbe to key markets across Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Europe.

Uganda Airlines has also announced plans to introduce flights to Accra and Kigali later this year, strengthening Entebbe’s role as a regional connecting hub.

The leadership further outlined plans to establish domestic air services to respond to growing internal travel needs while strengthening Uganda’s wider aviation network.

A central component of the strategy is the development of in-house technical and operational capacity. Management is working towards bringing aircraft maintenance and ground-handling services increasingly under the airline’s own control, while investing in the training and development of Ugandan aviation personnel.

The approach is consistent with the airline’s broader turnaround strategy, which places greater emphasis on building internal technical capacity, improving operational efficiency and developing Entebbe as a gateway connecting Uganda and the wider region to international markets.

The leadership team emphasised that sustained government and industry support will remain important as Uganda Airlines strengthens its infrastructure, human resources and operational systems.

Gen. Kainerugaba commended the airline’s leadership for the progress being made and pledged his support for the strategic direction.

He noted that a strong national carrier is important to Uganda’s broader economic ambitions, particularly in facilitating trade, strengthening regional integration, supporting tourism and connecting Ugandan businesses and citizens to markets across the continent and beyond.

The engagement comes as Uganda Airlines works to transition from its current phase of network development towards a more commercially sustainable model. Government has also called on the carrier to pursue reforms that can strengthen its reliability and profitability while contributing to Uganda’s long-term economic development objectives.

With fleet renewal, network expansion, human-capital development and stronger internal capabilities forming key pillars of the strategy, Uganda Airlines is positioning itself to play a larger role in Uganda’s transport, trade and regional integration agenda.

The latest briefing underscores the importance of coordinated national support as the carrier prepares for the next phase of its growth and seeks to establish Entebbe as a competitive aviation hub serving Uganda, East Africa and international markets.