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Uganda Airlines on Thursday, September 28, 2023, officially launched its second international direct flight opening the route to India.

Its first direct flight from Entebbe to Mumbai will start next week on October 7, flying three times a week that is every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.

Uganda Airlines Chief Executive Officer Jennifer Bamuturaki while addressing multitudes of people who attended the launch at the Uganda India Business Forum at Serena Hotel in Kampala supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) said, “We are excited to start this operation to Mumbai, the Gateway to India. This will be our 12th route and 2nd international flight after Dubai”.

Starting October 7, the outbound UR 430, on the first direct air service between Uganda and India, will depart Entebbe at 20.25 local time every Monday and Wednesday, arriving in Mumbai at 06.05 in the morning local time the next day.

However, the Saturday service will be departing earlier at 17.30 local, arriving in Mumbai on Sunday at 03.30 local.

The return flight UR431 will depart Mumbai at 08.05 on Tuesdays and Thursdays, arriving in Entebbe six and a half hours later the same day.

On Sundays, the inbound service will depart Mumbai at 05.10 am for a same-day arrival in Entebbe at 08.40 am.

Works and Transport Minister Gen. Katumba Wamala said “The Entebbe international airport is expanding to handle the increased volume of passengers that will be arriving and connecting through Entebbe, which has emerged as a strategic hub for travelers to and from Africa.”

Upender Singh Rawat - High Commissioner of India to Uganda said Trade and investment will be enhanced between Uganda and India with the launch of the new route.

“I am very happy to participate in the India-Uganda Business forum organised by Uganda Airlines with support from Uganda Airlines and the Indian Associations. Uganda Airlines is starting its direct flights to Mumbai on the India route. This has been a long pending desire and wishes of the Indian community. Between India and Uganda, we have huge trade and a lot of Indian investment in Uganda. We have an Indian community of about 35,000 living in Uganda and a lot of Ugandans who for medical reasons and other purposes,” he said.

He also observed that 1,200 students were studying in India. “All these groups and people living in the two countries will benefit from these direct flights and I am sure, it will enhance the relationship between the two countries,” Rawat added.

Odrek Rwabwogo - Senior Presidential Advisor on Special Duties, said, “With this new route from Entebbe to Mumbai, tourism is going to be promoted in Uganda, our economy will be strengthened and many young people will venture into business”

He noted that India imports a lot of services and goods from Uganda.

"The role of cross-border trade in development cannot be overstated. It has the power to generate employment, enhance productivity, drive technological advancements, and facilitate inclusive and sustainable development," Elsie Attafuah the UNDP Country representative said.

In August 2019, Uganda Airlines started its commercial flights in the East African region after nearly 18 years of the country being without a national carrier.

Uganda first acquired two 74-seater Bombardier aircraft and later acquired two Airbus A330-800.

In October 2021, the airline launched its first intercontinental flight to Dubai, one of its most lucrative routes but there are also plans to launch other flights to Lagos (Nigeria), and Riyadh via Jeddah in October.

The inaugural direct flight to Lagos is slated for October 19, with flights scheduled every Sunday, Monday, and Thursday.

On August 28, 2019, Uganda Airlines made its first commercial flight from Entebbe to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), and on November 13, 2019, Uganda Airlines launched the first flight to Kilimanjaro International Airport.

On December 16, 2019, Uganda Airlines commenced regular commercial passenger service to Zanzibar in Tanzania.