Uganda’s aviation sector is charting an ambitious growth trajectory, anchored by major infrastructure upgrades, expanded international partnerships and a growing focus on sustainable air transport as the country positions itself as a regional aviation hub by 2030.
The outlook was outlined during the annual Stakeholders’ Engagement Breakfast hosted by the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) in Kampala on December 16, where government and industry leaders reaffirmed aviation’s strategic role in boosting tourism, trade and broader economic development.
International passenger traffic through Entebbe International Airport reached 2.247 million between January and November 2025, already surpassing the full-year total recorded in 2024. Cargo volumes over the same period also matched last year’s full output, underscoring a strong post-pandemic recovery and sustained growth momentum.
UCAA Director General Fred K. Bamwesigye attributed the surge to new routes launched by Uganda Airlines to London Gatwick, Harare and Kinshasa, alongside new market entrants including Flynas, Fanjet Express, Malawi Airlines and Safarilink. He noted that December traffic figures are expected to further lift the annual total.
Uganda has also significantly widened its global air connectivity, with Bilateral Air Service Agreements now in place with 64 countries. Recent agreements signed with Qatar, Latvia, Ethiopia and the Central African Republic are strengthening access to new markets and reinforcing the country’s aviation diplomacy.
A key milestone is the upcoming commissioning of a new 20,000-square-metre passenger terminal at Entebbe International Airport. The facility, equipped with five aerobridges, 24 additional check-in counters and 14 self-check-in kiosks, will increase annual passenger handling capacity from two million to 3.5 million. Phased operations are expected to begin in January 2026.
Beyond Entebbe, government is accelerating the development and upgrade of regional airports to support tourism and regional integration. Kabalega International Airport in Hoima and Kidepo International Airport in Karamoja are under development, while Arua, Kasese and Gulu airports are being elevated to international status. The upgrade of Gulu Airport has been prioritised ahead of Uganda’s co-hosting of the Africa Cup of Nations in 2027.
Sustainability is emerging as a central pillar of Uganda’s aviation strategy. The country voluntarily joined ICAO’s Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) in 2019 and has completed a feasibility study confirming strong potential for Sustainable Aviation Fuel production using domestic biomass resources. Estimated output could range between 300 million and 850 million litres annually, positioning Uganda as a future SAF hub in East Africa.
Uganda’s growing influence was further underscored by its election to the International Civil Aviation Organization Council for the 2025–2028 term, where it secured 155 votes. The appointment reflects increasing confidence in the country’s regulatory leadership and commitment to safe, secure and sustainable aviation.
Institutional reforms are also underway, with a roadmap to separate regulatory oversight from airport and air navigation service provision. The move aims to improve efficiency, reduce conflicts of interest and align Uganda’s aviation governance with international best practices.
Despite the progress, challenges persist. Funding gaps for upcountry aerodromes, land constraints at Entebbe and mounting government debt to UCAA, estimated at UGX 166.6 billion as of June 2025, remain key concerns for sector stakeholders.
Looking ahead, Uganda plans to host major international aviation events in 2027 and will unveil a revised 20-year Master Plan for Entebbe International Airport in 2026. Government has urged service providers to match service quality with the scale of ongoing infrastructure investments as the sector enters a new growth phase.
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