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Exporters have hailed Uganda Airlines for launching a direct route to India’s important trading city of Mumbai for the first time in 40 years. 

The chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Exports and Industrial Development (PACIED), Odrek Rwabwogo, said on Monday, October 2, that they were very pleased that their message on developing export infrastructure, routes, and markets was catching on. 

He thanked the chief executive officer of Uganda Airlines, Jennifer Bamuturaki, and her team for the launch of the Entebbe-Mumbai route for the country’s flagship national passenger and cargo carrier. 

“The choice of old Bombay is great because this is a financial and tech town with immense history and cultural connection with East Africa. The Gujaratis have traded with Africa for more than 500 years,” he said on X, formerly Twitter. 

Rwabwogo, who is also the senior presidential advisor on special duties, said the recent archaeological excavation sites in both Gorji (north-western India) and Teso District in Kenya confirm trade in sorghum, millet, and Africa’s ancient grains. 

“The text mills in 1854 that began the cotton revolution bringing Uganda into production in 1903, began here. What a pleasure that we now can make a direct travel connection in hours for enhanced trade, tech transfer, and tourism,” he wrote. 

The inaugural flight to Mumbai will take off on October 7, 2023. Uganda Airlines launched its first International flight to Dubai, United Arab Emirates on October 4, 2021. 

This national carrier, which spread its wings to Nigeria recently, started in 2019 to provide scheduled air transportation services in East Africa and near-international markets. 

It was awarded the World's Youngest Aircraft Fleet Award, given by Ch-Aviation in 2021 and 2022. 

Its vision is to be a world-class airline exceeding customer expectations, through high-quality service, global connectivity, and commitment to excellence.