Uganda’s Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) has announced a formal investigation into recent flight cancellations and delays at Uganda Airlines, following growing public frustration over disrupted travel plans and reports of stranded passengers at Entebbe International Airport.
Speaking on the sidelines of a stakeholder engagement in Kampala, UCAA Director General Fred K. Bamwesigye said the disruptions do not currently pose a safety risk but warrant regulatory scrutiny.
“This is not a safety concern, but we are going to conduct investigations to establish the issues and determine the appropriate way forward,” Bamwesigye said, stressing that the probe will be conducted in line with aviation oversight standards.
Uganda Airlines has come under intense public scrutiny after passengers took to social media to complain of missed flights, repeated rescheduling, and limited assistance at airport check-in counters. In a statement issued on December 13, the national carrier acknowledged the disruptions, saying it was working to restore normal operations, though the response did little to quell public anger online.
Several travellers reported that flights were cancelled or postponed multiple times, including a midweek service to Zanzibar that was deferred to the following day, while a return flight was delayed until late at night before being postponed again. Sources within the airline indicated that capacity constraints, linked to technical challenges affecting part of the fleet, played a role in the disruption.
Uganda Airlines’ spokesperson has since confirmed that technical issues affecting some aircraft have led to delays and cancellations. The airline currently operates a fleet of seven aircraft, meaning the grounding of even one or two planes can have wide-reaching consequences across its route network.
Chief Executive Officer Jenifer Bamuturaki has apologised to affected passengers, assuring the public that stabilisation measures are underway. She explained that with a small fleet, any unplanned maintenance or technical checks can trigger network-wide disruptions.
“The grounding of one aircraft in a small fleet has a ripple effect across multiple routes,” Bamuturaki said, adding that the airline is working to resolve the technical challenges as quickly as possible.
She also dismissed claims circulating on social media that Uganda Airlines’ long-haul flights were stranded abroad, including in London and Lagos. According to Bamuturaki, international operations are continuing, pointing to the recent arrival of a London flight as confirmation that long-haul services remain active despite operational strain.
Beyond technical issues, the airline has cited broader industry constraints, including NOTAMs (Notices to Airmen), which regulate airport take-off and landing slots. These restrictions, Bamuturaki noted, limit scheduling flexibility, especially for airlines with small fleets facing unexpected disruptions. She said Uganda Airlines is engaging partner carriers to help manage passenger capacity while corrective measures are implemented.
The developments have sparked sharp public criticism. Investigative journalist Andrew Mwenda described the situation as a severe operational decline, accusing the airline of poor management and wastage of public funds. In a series of posts on X, formerly Twitter, Mwenda called for a complete overhaul of management or the closure of the airline, questioning the sustainability of continued government support.
Aviation analysts, however, caution that airlines with limited fleets are structurally vulnerable to disruptions, as they lack spare aircraft to absorb technical setbacks. They add that delays in fleet expansion, often driven by financing challenges and global supply chain constraints, can intensify operational pressure for young national carriers.
As the investigation looms, Uganda Airlines says restoring schedule stability and rebuilding passenger confidence are its immediate priorities. The carrier maintains that it is treating the situation with urgency, working to normalise operations while remaining compliant with regulatory oversight and its long-term growth objectives.
