Uganda Airlines has launched new routes to Accra, Ghana, and Kigali, Rwanda. The national carrier says the new routes will deepen trade, tourism and investment links between Uganda and West Africa while strengthening its regional connectivity.
Flights to Accra will commence on October 27 while those to Kigali will start on November 18.
Speaking at the launch, acting Uganda Airlines CEO Girma Wake said the Accra route builds on cultural and economic ties between the two countries and positions the airline to tap into trade currently flowing through South Africa.
“The two countries have a lot in common. A lot of families have connections. It is a natural place for us to go,” Wake said, adding that Ghana produces goods Uganda needs while offering a market for Ugandan exports.
He said Ghana’s trade relationship with South Africa, including South African firms that run the Obuasi (Ashanti) gold mine, gives Uganda Airlines an opening to compete on connecting time.
“Ghana trades a lot with South Africa. It will be the shortest route except for the direct flight of South African Airways, so it will be a very good route to connect South Africa to Ghana,” Wake said.
The airline plans to fly to Accra as an extension of its five-times-a-week service to Lagos, Nigeria, a route it says is just over an hour from Accra by air.
“We are making five times a week [to Lagos]. It is an extension of that to Ghana, just one additional hour, but it builds up gradually because Ghana can support a flight on its own and Nigeria can support a flight on its own. We build it together until we get the natural volumes,” Wake said.
He added that rising disposable incomes among Ghanaians make tourism a growing part of the route’s business case, and that the airline has increased baggage allowances to encourage travel.
“We will allow two pieces at 30 kilos each in business class, and two pieces at 23 kilos each in economy. That will encourage people to travel, and I know in Africa, when we travel, we move a house. So it will help,” Wake said.
Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Vincent Bagire said the new routes align with government priorities to position Uganda as a destination for tourists and investors, and described connectivity as a direct driver of economic opportunity.
“There is evidence of a relationship between connectivity and economic opportunities. The more routes an airline operates, the greater the potential for tourist arrivals, trade, investment and cultural exchange,” Bagire said.
He said the West Africa route in particular gives Uganda deeper access to a market that remains underexploited due to poor continental connectivity.
“The more frequent and affordable flights are between our countries, the easier it will be for businesses, tourists, families and investors to move across borders. A national carrier must do more than fly its aircraft; it must help open markets and strengthen the link between opportunity and enterprise,” Bagire said.
Uganda Airlines board chairperson Priscilla Mirembe Serukka said the two destinations reflect a deliberate expansion strategy rather than opportunistic growth, with Kigali reinforcing East African Community ties and Accra opening a gateway to West Africa.
“These two new routes reflect a deliberate and disciplined growth in our strategy. We are building a network that connects our people to the continent and to the wider world. Each new destination must serve a greater purpose, supporting national development, improving connectivity for travellers and creating long-term value for the Ugandan people,” Serukka said.
She said the board remains focused on governance and commercial sustainability as the airline expands.
“The board remains focused on sustainable growth, sound governance, operational excellence and long-term competitiveness. We are committed to ensuring that Uganda Airlines grows in a way that is commercially responsible, nationally valuable and globally respected,” Serukka said.
According to background notes issued by the airline, Ghana is one of West Africa’s largest economies but remains under-connected to Eastern and Southern Africa and was previously unserved by Uganda Airlines. The airline said traffic data between Accra and its existing network pointed to strong demand for the route, while its Lagos operation provides a springboard to extend into West Africa at lower incremental cost.
The airline listed its objectives for the two routes as gaining direct access to strategic markets, strengthening its regional feeder network into long-haul services, optimising fleet utilisation, and reinforcing Uganda’s position as a continental aviation hub.
