Uganda Airlines Takes on RwandAir With Daily Kigali Flights

What the report says

Uganda Airlines said it will begin daily scheduled flights between Entebbe and Kigali on November 18, alongside four weekly services to Accra starting October 27, according to Nile Post. The new routes mark a further step in the carrier’s regional expansion and bring it into direct competition with RwandAir on the Uganda-Rwanda corridor, where the Rwandan airline has long dominated nonstop service.

The company said both destinations have been underserved from Entebbe and were chosen for their business, trade, tourism and investment potential. Acting chief executive Girma Wake said the Kigali route should have been introduced earlier, while Rwanda’s High Commissioner to Uganda, John Rutabana, welcomed the move and said it could increase travel options and help lower fares. Uganda Airlines plans to use Bombardier CRJ-900 jets on the Kigali service and a Boeing 737-800 wet-leased from Ethiopian Airlines for Accra.

Nile Post reported that the Entebbe-Kigali market has had limited direct competition, with RwandAir providing the most consistent scheduled service. The addition of Uganda Airlines could give travelers more frequency and potentially improve pricing, though the route is likely to remain competitive because of the short flight time and established customer demand.

The airline said the Accra route is aimed at strengthening links with West Africa and supporting trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area. The expansion follows a recent agreement with Boeing for new aircraft, as Uganda Airlines continues rebuilding and widening its network after resuming operations in 2019.