Uganda Airlines Launches Direct Entebbe–London Gatwick Flights to Boost Trade and Tourism

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Uganda Airlines has officially launched direct flights between Entebbe International Airport and London’s Gatwick Airport, marking a significant milestone in its global expansion strategy. The inaugural flight departed Entebbe at 9:25 am on May 18, with an expected arrival at Gatwick at 4:55 pm local time.

This new route will operate four times weekly—on Sundays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays—with return flights from London on the same days. The airline is using the state-of-the-art Airbus A330-800neo to provide a comfortable and efficient long-haul experience.

“This route creates a direct link between Uganda and one of the world’s busiest international hubs,” said Uganda Airlines CEO Jennifer Bamuturaki, emphasising that return flights are timed to seamlessly connect travellers across the airline’s expanding African network.

The route’s introduction comes amid strengthening economic and tourism ties between Uganda and the UK. Data from the British High Commission in Kampala shows that bilateral trade reached GBP 860 million (UGX 124.8 billion) in 2023, while Uganda’s exports to the UK over the past five years totalled GBP 2.3 billion (UGX 329.8 billion).

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Uganda’s Minister of Works and Transport, Gen. Katumba Wamala, praised the initiative as a step towards realising President Yoweri Museveni’s vision of restoring the national carrier to improve travel efficiency. “The Gatwick service eliminates layovers, streamlining the movement of passengers and cargo, and supporting economic growth,” he stated.

Wamala also highlighted the UK’s role as a key tourism market for Uganda, noting that direct flights will encourage more British travellers to explore the country’s natural attractions—from mountain gorillas to the source of the Nile—ultimately boosting tourism revenue.