Uganda Airlines is set to start direct flights to Rwanda, a move meant to ease the movement of goods and people between the two countries.

The announcement was made Friday, March 24, during the just concluded eleventh Rwanda-Uganda Joint Permanent Commission (JPC) in Kigali.

Speaking at the JPC Ministerial session on Friday, Uganda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, JeJe Odongo, said: “Uganda welcomes the acceptance of the designation of our national carrier, Uganda Airlines by Rwandan authorities which will lead to its commencing of direct flights from Entebbe to Kigali.”

Odongo however did not mention when the Airline is likely to start operating the route.

“This will further boost trade, enhance connectivity, and contribute to strengthening people-to-people exchanges,” Odongo said.

Uganda Airlines resumed operations in August 2019 after nearly 20 years of inactivity. Rwanda’s national carrier, RwandAir, already flies to Entebbe, Uganda, three times a day.

During the three-day JPC that ended Friday, both countries agreed on a number of resolutions and signed several Memoranda of Understanding aimed at smoothening their cooperation.

During the meeting, the officials exchanged views on existing Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and discussed strategic areas of cooperation, including bilateral relations, infrastructure and cross-border trade, for the mutual benefit of both countries.

Both Odongo and Vincent Biruta Rwanda's Foreign Affairs Minister hailed the historic and warm relations that exist between the two countries and stressed the need to continue working together to revitalize political, economic and social cooperation.

“Our meeting today is a clear demonstration of the commitment of our two countries to revitalize the JPC as a framework for bilateral engagement. I strongly believe the JPC framework if held regularly is an effective mechanism for our two countries to discuss ways of widening and deepening cooperation in areas of mutual interest,” Odongo said in his opening remarks.

“We are brothers and sisters. Indeed, there have been some difficulties but with the consensus reached by our leaders, progress has been made in normalizing relations. I am confident that through joint efforts, our excellent relations will continue to flourish in the years ahead,” he added.

Relations between the two neighbouring countries deteriorated in 2018. The heightened tensions saw Rwanda close its common border with Uganda. The two countries have since held several talks to normalize relations, and the border was reopened in February 2022.

Bitura noted that despite some challenges in the relationship between the two countries in recent years, he was pleased that under “the leadership of our respective Heads of State, we have made progress in restoring our bilateral ties.”

“This meeting is a demonstration of our shared commitment to finding solutions to the issues that have arisen between our two countries. Now we must build on this positive momentum and continue to work together to address the remaining challenges,” Bitura noted.