Due to the opening of new international routes and the arrival of new air operators, Uganda’s aviation industry is expanding significantly. At Tuesday’s Stakeholder’s Engagement Meeting on the Status of the Aviation Industry in Uganda at Four Points by Sheraton, the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) emphasized this increase in air traffic, which is expected to further improve the nation’s connectivity and economic opportunities.
New flights to important locations like Abuja, Lagos, and Mumbai are at the front of this expansion. In addition to increasing international passenger numbers, these improvements have expanded cargo capacity, creating new markets for Ugandan commodities. The increase in both passengers and freight is being hailed as a watershed moment for the country’s aviation sector.
UCAA Director General Fred Bamwesigye stressed that these advancements were the consequence of focused initiatives to improve airport infrastructure and increase aviation connectivity. Bamwesigye clarified that the new routes and more operators are essential to Uganda’s ambition to become a regional aviation center during a breakfast event for stakeholders held at the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel in Kampala.
“The opening of new flight routes and the increased number of airline operators are the reasons for our air traffic’s unprecedented growth,” Bamwesigye said. “By increasing cargo capacity, these improvements not only benefit foreign tourists but also greatly boost trade.”
Notwithstanding the optimism, challenges remain, especially in the area of export commerce. Uganda Airlines’ public relations and corporate affairs manager, Shakila Rahim Lamar, called attention to long-standing trade restrictions that have an impact on Ugandan goods, especially in India. The Indian market places limits on a number of Ugandan exports, such as ghee, avocados, and pineapples, which restricts the full potential of Uganda’s cargo aircraft.
“There are still major trade barriers that need to be addressed, even though we are making progress in aviation,” Lamar said. “In important markets like India, products with high market demand, including ghee and avocados, are nevertheless limited. This is a significant barrier to our cargo flights’ full capacity.
Lamar urged the government to step up diplomatic and economic diplomacy efforts to address these problems and open up new markets for Ugandan exporters.
In response, Martin Mugarra Bahinduka, Minister of State for Tourism, stated that the government is dedicated to addressing these trade obstacles. He assured that the government will look into every possibility to market Ugandan goods overseas, saying, “We understand the challenges that our exporters face, and we are dedicated to engaging with international partners to resolve these issues.”
The Indian High Commissioner to Uganda, Upender Singh Rawat, reiterated India’s aim to develop closer trade relations with Uganda and emphasized the significance of removing trade barriers. “We are totally dedicated to collaborating with Uganda to promote trade and remove any obstacles that may be present,” Rawat said.
Bamwesigye emphasized the recently finished Modified Terminal Building at Entebbe International Airport as an example of infrastructure. The recently renovated terminal, which opened to the public in January 2024, offers passengers better amenities and more capacity. This move is a component of UCAA’s larger initiative to update Uganda’s aviation system and guarantee a better traveler experience.
In an effort to improve operational effectiveness and flying safety, UCAA has also implemented satellite-based navigation systems. These developments are intended to simplify air traffic control and bring Ugandan aviation procedures into compliance with global norms.
Future regional athletic events, including the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, would depend heavily on the nation’s expanding aviation infrastructure, according to Bamwesigye. Uganda’s strategic commitment on using aviation to promote economic and cultural development is shown by Bamwesigye’s statement that “our ongoing improvements in aviation infrastructure will be key to ensuring the success of major events like the Africa Cup of Nations.”
Given the aviation industry’s encouraging growth trajectory, Uganda is establishing itself as a major participant in both domestic and international air transport. Opportunities for trade and tourism are becoming more accessible than ever before as the nation keeps developing its routes and facilities.
