By Frank Kamuntu
Victoria University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Lawrence Muganga, has urged Ugandans to rise above political divisions and embrace a spirit of patriotism by celebrating national progress—regardless of which government or individual delivers it.
In a heartfelt public message shared following the historic landing of Uganda Airlines at London Gatwick Airport on May 18, 2025, Prof. Muganga called for unity, factual awareness, and positive thinking in national discourse.
“It is easy to fall into negativity, especially when we see something good coming from someone or a government we may not agree with,” Prof. Muganga stated. “But real maturity and love for our country means being able to celebrate what is positive, no matter who is responsible for it.”
He emphasized that Ugandans must prioritize the country over political bias, particularly when evaluating milestones such as Uganda Airlines’ latest achievement. “That is what true patriotism looks like,” he added.
Clarifying Misconceptions: A New Airline, A New Chapter
Prof. Muganga also addressed the widespread misinformation surrounding Uganda Airlines. He clarified that the current airline is not a revival of the defunct Uganda National Airlines, which ceased operations in 2001.
“The current Uganda Airlines was registered in 2018. It is a new airline, a fresh start for Uganda in aviation,” he explained. “Every milestone it reaches is its first—new and historic in its own right.”
He pointed to the airline’s recent success in making its first-ever landing on UK soil as proof of progress that deserves national recognition.
Uganda Airlines Lands In London—A Historic First
At exactly 17:01 on May 18, Uganda Airlines’ flight UR110 touched down at London Gatwick Airport, marking the airline’s entry into the European market and its first direct flight between Uganda and the UK.
The inaugural flight departed Entebbe International Airport at 9:25 a.m. and will now operate four times weekly—on Sundays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. This drastically reduces travel time between the two countries from over 16 hours (with layovers) to just 9.5 hours nonstop.
CEO Jennifer Bamuturaki hailed the new route as a strategic addition:
“London has become our 17th destination! With four weekly flights from Entebbe to Gatwick, Uganda Airlines is opening seamless connections to Europe, North America, and across Africa.”
Economic & Diplomatic Boost
The new route is expected to enhance:
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Tourism: Simplifying travel for British and European tourists exploring Uganda.
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Trade: Speeding up export delivery, especially of perishable goods.
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Diaspora Mobility: Offering more convenient travel options for the Ugandan community in the UK.
Many Ugandans and aviation enthusiasts took to social media to express pride and excitement, with some calling it a “dream come true” and a “game changer” for Uganda’s global connectivity.
“This is great news for UK-Uganda relations. The flight will ease air transport, boost exports and imports, and provide new trade opportunities,” one user wrote.
A Call To Think Bigger
Prof. Muganga concluded his message with a call for informed citizenship and collective pride.
“Let us use this as a reminder to educate ourselves and find the facts before rushing to criticize. The best thing we can do is to learn, to stay positive, and to always put our country above personal feelings. That is how we help Uganda move forward.”
