Uganda Airlines signs US$985m Boeing deal

• Uganda Airlines has agreed a 10-aircraft order with Boeing, covering eight passenger jets and two cargo-converted aircraft.
• The deal, worth around Shs3.7 trillion (US$985 million) and witnessed by President Yoweri Museveni, is among Uganda’s largest aviation investments to date.
• The expansion is intended to increase capacity, improve international connectivity and strengthen cargo and trade links, though delivery timelines have not yet been confirmed.

Uganda has agreed a major expansion of its national carrier’s fleet through a deal with US manufacturer Boeing, in a move aimed at strengthening long-haul connectivity and boosting cargo capacity across East Africa.

The agreement, signed by Uganda Airlines on 10 June 2026, covers the acquisition of 10 aircraft comprising both passenger jets and converted freighters. The signing was witnessed by President Yoweri Museveni and is being presented by officials as one of the most significant investments in the country’s aviation sector in recent years.

The deal, valued at approximately Shs3.7 trillion (around US$985 million), includes eight passenger aircraft and two cargo-converted jets. While detailed delivery schedules have not been publicly released, officials say the initial phase will prioritise the introduction of widebody passenger capacity, with freighter operations forming part of a broader push into logistics and trade facilitation.

Government representatives have framed the acquisition as a strategic investment intended to strengthen Uganda’s direct international connectivity and reduce reliance on transit hubs in neighbouring countries and the Gulf. Transport officials argue that limited fleet size has previously constrained route stability and forced schedule cancellations, particularly on long-haul services.

Uganda Airlines, which currently operates a relatively small and mixed fleet, has in recent years faced operational disruption linked to aircraft availability and maintenance constraints. At various points, the carrier has relied on leased aircraft to sustain long-haul routes, highlighting the challenges of maintaining consistent international services with a limited number of widebody jets.

The new Boeing agreement is intended to address these constraints by expanding capacity across regional, continental and intercontinental markets. Officials say the additional aircraft will enable the airline to increase frequencies on existing routes and open new destinations, particularly in Asia and Europe, while also strengthening cargo operations linked to agricultural exports and import logistics.

In addition to aircraft supply, Boeing is expected to provide technical support, training and broader capacity-building programmes for Ugandan aviation personnel. Industry observers note that such arrangements are often critical in ensuring that fleet expansion is matched by maintenance capability and operational readiness on the ground.

The scale of the deal places it among the largest single commitments made by Uganda in its aviation history. Officials say the investment reflects a wider ambition to position Entebbe as a more competitive regional hub for passengers and freight, particularly as demand for intra-African and intercontinental travel continues to grow.

Regional context is also significant. East Africa’s aviation sector has become increasingly competitive, with carriers such as Ethiopian Airlines and Kenya Airways continuing to expand fleets and networks. Ethiopian Airlines in particular maintains a dominant position across African and long-haul markets, with a fleet several times larger than that of Uganda Airlines.

Against this backdrop, Uganda’s aircraft acquisition is seen as an attempt to narrow the gap with mid-sized regional operators, even if the airline remains some distance from the scale of Africa’s largest carrier.

The Ugandan government has argued that improved air connectivity will support wider economic objectives, including tourism growth, foreign investment and export competitiveness. Officials have repeatedly emphasised the importance of direct international links in reducing travel times and lowering the cost of doing business.