By Our Reporter
In a landmark moment for Uganda’s aviation and travel sector, Uganda Airlines has officially launched its direct flight service between Entebbe International Airport and London Gatwick, re-establishing a vital air link that had been dormant for nearly a decade.
The inaugural flight, UR110, departed from Entebbe at 9:25 a.m., marking the national carrier’s first entry into the European market. The route will operate four times weekly, on Sundays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, drastically cutting travel time from over 16 hours (with layovers) to just 9.5 hours nonstop.
This strategic addition makes London the 17th destination on Uganda Airlines’ growing network and is widely seen as a boost to tourism, trade, and diplomatic ties between Uganda and the United Kingdom.
“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,” said Jennifer Bamuturaki, CEO of Uganda Airlines, during the launch today.
The return of direct flights to the UK is expected to have a ripple effect on multiple sectors:
- Tourism: Easier access for British and European tourists to explore Uganda, often referred to as the Pearl of Africa.
- Trade: Faster transport of Ugandan exports—especially fresh produce—to European markets.
- Diaspora Engagement: Enhanced mobility for the large Ugandan diaspora community in the UK.
Ugandans and aviation enthusiasts took to social media to celebrate the milestone, many calling it a “dream come true” and a “game changer” for both leisure and business travelers.
“This is great news for UK-Uganda relations. The flight will ease air transport, boost imports and exports, and provide fresh opportunities for trade,” one user wrote.
The launch also underscores Uganda Airlines’ ambition to position itself as a competitive player on international routes, after winning praise for its service quality and steadily expanding its network across Africa and beyond.
The airline, Uganda’s flag carrier, had been grounded for years before its relaunch in 2019. Since then, it has expanded routes to multiple African destinations and now steps confidently onto the global stage with this European addition.
As flights begin, aviation analysts and passengers alike will be watching closely to track passenger uptake, service efficiency, and how the route performs over the coming months.
For now, however, Uganda Airlines is celebrating a significant milestone—one that reconnects Uganda with Europe and opens a new chapter in the nation’s aviation history.
