Uganda’s aviation industry continues to flourish, supported by infrastructure expansion, growing passenger and cargo traffic, and a favourable regulatory environment.
The country is currently served by 18 international scheduled operators and boasts 26 licensed operators.
In 2024, the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) granted Air Services Licenses (ASL) to 10 operators, including 7 new licenses and 3 renewals.
Among the new players, Premier Airlines began operations on December 5, 2024, flying between Juba and Entebbe, followed by Kush Air, which commenced flights on the same route on December 6, 2024.
Uganda Airlines also expanded its network, launching routes to Lusaka, Abuja, and Harare in September 2024. Flynas joined the market on January 16, 2025, with flights connecting Riyadh and Entebbe.
Looking ahead, UCAA has announced plans for direct flights between Entebbe and London’s Gatwick Airport, expected to launch by mid-2025.
Air traffic performance has also shown remarkable improvement, surpassing both pre- and post-COVID benchmarks.
According to UCAA, between January and December 2024, international passenger traffic reached 2,243,104, compared to 1,932,094 passengers during the same period in 2023.
Similarly, cargo volumes rose to 67,731 metric tonnes in 2024, up from 59,073 metric tonnes in 2023.
The growth is even more significant when compared to pre-COVID levels in 2019, which saw 1,802,107 international passengers and 64,731 metric tonnes of cargo.
However, the trade balance continues to lean toward exports. Import volumes grew by 22.42%, from 18,161 metric tonnes in 2023 to 22,233 metric tonnes in 2024.
Exports, while also rising, increased by 9.66%, from 40,911 metric tonnes in 2023 to 44,865 metric tonnes in 2024.
Significant upgrades at Entebbe International Airport have further bolstered Uganda’s aviation capabilities.
The modified terminal building, opened on January 10, 2024, now provides a more spacious and comfortable environment for travellers.
Additional infrastructure projects, including a 20,000-square-meter passenger terminal building with three new aerobridges, are underway.
Once completed, these upgrades will increase the airport’s capacity from 2 million passengers annually to at least 3.5 million.
Entebbe International Airport also plays a vital role in facilitating international events. In 2024, the airport supported 1,935 delegates from 123 countries attending the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and G77+ China Summits.
More recently, in January 2025, 977 delegates attending the African Union Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) Summit in Kampala were seamlessly facilitated.
As Uganda’s aviation sector grows, the combination of rising air traffic, ongoing infrastructure projects, and new market entrants highlights the country’s ambition to become a regional aviation hub.
1 comment
This will help in boosting Uganda’s aviation capabilities.