Uganda Airlines will begin daily flights between Entebbe and Kigali on Nov. 18, expanding travel options between two closely connected East African markets and strengthening links for business, tourism and trade.
The new route marks another step in Uganda Airlines’ regional expansion strategy as African carriers seek to improve connectivity and respond to growing demand for easier movement across the continent.
Uganda Airlines will also launch four weekly flights to Accra, Ghana, from Oct. 27, creating a new connection between East and West Africa.
Acting Chief Executive Officer Girma Wake said Kigali was a key market that the airline should have entered earlier as part of its network growth.
“Kigali is a very important market for us, and we believe this route should have been introduced much earlier,” Wake said.
The Kigali service will be operated using Uganda Airlines’ Bombardier CRJ-900 aircraft, while the Accra route will be served by a Boeing 737-800 wet leased from Ethiopian Airlines.
For several years, RwandAir has been a leading carrier on the Kigali-Entebbe route, providing reliable connections for passengers travelling between Rwanda and Uganda as well as onward destinations across Africa and beyond.
The airline has built a strong reputation among travelers through its service standards, regional network and focus on connecting Kigali with key international markets.
Uganda Airlines’ entry into the route will give passengers more choice, but it also presents the carrier with the challenge of matching the experience and customer confidence that RwandAir has developed over the years.
The competition is expected to encourage continued improvements in service, convenience and connectivity, benefiting travelers and businesses in both countries.
Rwanda and Uganda share strong economic and social ties, with frequent movement of business travelers, tourists, officials and families between the two markets.
Uganda Airlines said Kigali offers opportunities beyond passenger travel, including business trips, conferences, tourism and investment flows.
The airline also aims to strengthen Entebbe as a regional hub, allowing passengers from Rwanda to connect to destinations across Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Europe.
The launch reflects the wider growth of African aviation and efforts to build stronger links between countries through improved air transport.
