Uganda Airlines seeks over sh400b financing for fleet expansion drive

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Uganda Airlines is seeking shillings 422.2 billion to kick-start the process of acquiring 10 new aircraft.

This was revealed on December 1, 2025, by works and transport minister Gen. Katumba Wamala, as he appeared before Parliament's budget committee to defend the airline’s supplementary request.

Katumba told legislators that the aircraft will include four mid-range narrow-body Airbus models, four wide-body Boeing planes, and two Boeing converted freighters for cargo.

He added that the supplementary funding will cover the airline’s initial requirements for this financial year, with the purchases expected in January 2026 from both manufacturers, Boeing and Airbus.



However, legislators questioned why the investment was listed as an emergency, saying it should have been planned within the national budget, and called for better management efficiency at the airline.



Uganda Airlines started operations in August 2019 and currently flies to 17 destinations in 12 countries, with the latest route being London's Gatwick, the third destination outside Africa after Dubai and Mumbai.

Uganda Airlines service to Gatwick runs four times a week: Sundays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays using an Airbus A330-800neo. The nine-hour nonstop flight offers 20 business class seats, 28 in premium economy, and 210 in economy.

Mixed performance

According to the Auditor General’s audit of Uganda Airlines for the year ending December 2024, the national carrier’s revenue for 2023/24 rose by 50% shillings 349.6 billion. Growth was driven mainly by increases in passenger revenue (58%), cargo (55%), baggage charges (63%), change fees (86%), expired tickets (20%) and ground handling fees (2,306%).

However, costs also escalated. Direct costs reached shillings 523 billion, pushed up by aviation fuel (34%), crew allowances and salaries, pilot training (31%), catering (43%), and inflight expenses (203%). Despite reductions in ground passenger expenses, aircraft maintenance, and airport charges, the airline closed the year with a net loss of shillings 237.9 billion.