Due to direct flights, General Katumba Wamala welcomes Indian investors to Uganda. Uganda Airlines opened a service to India, strengthening the two countries’ relations.
General Edward Katumba Wamala, the minister of works and transportation, respectfully welcomes Indian investors to think seriously about investing in Uganda. This message was delivered by him during the India-Uganda Trade and Business Forum on October 9, 2023 in Mumbai, India.
General Katumba noted the recent establishment of a direct jet route connecting Entebbe with Mumbai, enhancing accessibility and effectiveness of travel between our countries.
General Katumba went on to discuss the tremendous business opportunities that Uganda presents in a variety of industries. He specifically referred to the great pineapple produce from Uganda and said that the shorter flight time—now six hours and 30 minutes—enables the shipment of processed, value-added pineapples to the Indian market.
Joyce Kakuramatsi Kikafunda, Uganda’s high commissioner to India, reiterated this stance and urged Indian investors to look into Uganda’s expanding tourist sector. She emphasized the debut of the long-awaited direct flights as a significant step in developing closer bilateral ties between our countries.
This business conference in Mumbai acts as a tactical hub to entice Indian investors to participate in Uganda’s several economic sectors.
A major accomplishment for Uganda Airlines was the launch of direct flights to India on October 7. This demonstrated the airline’s dedication to enhancing global linkages. In her speech, High Commissioner Kakuramatsi stressed how ready Uganda is to manage its own destiny, ushering in a new era of independence.
She lauded the long-standing ties between Uganda and India, which had strengthened into a superb alliance with the advent of direct flights. Traveling more quickly is advantageous for both business and patients in India who need immediate medical care.
Uganda’s honorary consul in Mumbai, Madhusudan Agrawal, congratulated both nations on their extraordinary accomplishment and reaffirmed his 30-year relationship with the country. He emphasized how the direct flight between Uganda and India offers significant time savings, strengthening relations between the two countries.
The Honorary Consul of Uganda in Chennai, Vinod Kumar Saraogi, emphasized Uganda’s expanding economy and positioned it as a key factor in the continent’s future development. He stressed Uganda’s crucial role in promoting international trade and tourism, both physically and culturally.
The UR 430 flight improves connectivity between our countries by departing Entebbe on Mondays and Wednesdays at 8:15 p.m. local time and landing in Mumbai on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 05:55 a.m.
With connections to Dubai, Johannesburg, Bujumbura, Nairobi, Mombasa, Zanzibar, Dar es Salaam, Kilimanjaro, Juba, Kinshasa, and Mogadishu, Uganda Airlines has been progressively expanding its flying routes. Launching flights to Lagos, Nigeria is one of Uganda’s future objectives, which would increase its visibility in the world of international aviation.
After almost 18 years, Uganda Airlines restarted commercial operations in August 2021, reestablishing a national carrier. Two Bombardier 74-seaters and two Airbus A330-800s are currently part of the airline’s fleet. The airline successfully launched its first international trip to Dubai in October 2021, and it has plans to expand lines to Lagos and Riyadh via Jeddah in the near future. The first flight to Lagos is set to depart from Lagos on October 19 and operate on Sundays, Mondays, and Thursdays.
