Uganda Airlines is set to begin domestic flights in the 2026/2027 financial year, the national carrier’s Chief Executive Officer, Jennifer Bamuturaki, announced on Thursday, August 14, 2025.
Bamuturaki made the disclosure while appearing before the Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE) during discussions on Auditor General Edward Akol’s report for the year ending December 2024.
Her assurance followed a question from Kashari South Member of Parliament (MP) Nathan Itungo (Independent), who highlighted Nyakisharara Airstrip in his constituency. “In my constituency, Nyakisharara airstrip is ready for you,” Itungo noted. He added that during Obote’s era, the airstrip was a significant revenue source for the national airline.
Other lawmakers, including Bukimbiri County’s Eddie Kwizera (NRM), welcomed the development, arguing it would benefit passengers and boost profitability. “From here to Kisoro, we pay $320, and wouldn’t it be profitable to have internal flights? The cost is similar to traveling to Kenya,” Kwizera said.
Easing pressure on upcountry routes
The move is expected to ease pressure on upcountry routes, many of which are deteriorating. The Pakwach-Karuma section, for instance, prompted regional lawmakers last October, including Dr. George Didi Bhoka (Obongi County, NRM), to hold an urgent press conference at Parliament. They urged the Government to engage with bus companies that had raised fares, warning that failure to act could cripple trade and the movement of people and goods.
Bhoka also called for revitalizing water transport in West Nile, noting that the region was historically connected via Port Butiaba to Nimule using steamships. “The ministry of transport should reconsider water transport alongside rail and road to move goods efficiently from West Nile,” he argued.
Airstrips and operations
Uganda currently has 47 airstrips, six with paved runways and 42 unpaved. Thirteen of these airstrips are managed by the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
Bamuturaki detailed the airline’s routes, noting that it operates seventeen destinations, with London being the newest addition. “We operate two sets of routes. The CRJ (Bombardier) serves Nairobi, Mombasa, Zanzibar, Dar es Salaam, Kilimanjaro, Juba, Mogadishu, Bujumbura, Johannesburg, and Kinshasa. For Lagos, Abuja, Lusaka, and Harare, we use a mix of CRJ and Airbus aircraft A320 or sometimes A330,” she said.
For long-haul flights, Uganda Airlines flies to Mumbai, Dubai, and London. Two years ago, the airline resumed flights to Saudi Arabia after a 40-year hiatus, transporting 250 Muslim pilgrims to the Hijja.
