Uganda’s Parliament has approved a supplementary budget of Shs422.26 billion (around US$110 million) for the national carrier, Uganda Airlines, to expand its fleet, according to an official statement.
The funding will finance the purchase of two Boeing 787 passenger aircraft, one Boeing freighter, two mid-range Airbus planes, and associated bridge leasing costs. The approval forms part of a broader Shs1.696 trillion (US$442 million) allocation for the Ministry of Works and Transport, which also covers infrastructure projects including community access roads and national ambulance services.
Finance Minister Matia Kasaija initially announced the supplementary request in July 2025. The plan represents one of the largest additional appropriations for Uganda Airlines since its 2019 revival.
The decision sparked debate in Parliament, with some MPs raising concerns over fiscal prudence and transparency. Ibrahim Ssemujju (Kira Municipality) urged the Ministry to provide a detailed acquisition plan, citing past challenges with the Bombardier CRJ900 deal. Opposition Leader Joel Ssenyonyi questioned why supplementary funds were requested for foreseeable expenses, which he argued should not fall under emergency appropriations.
Defending the proposal, Uganda Airlines CEO Jenifer Bamuturaki cited flight delays and cancellations caused by sudden airport closures in Entebbe, Bujumbura, Juba, and Dar es Salaam. “These disruptions were beyond the airline’s control,” she said. Transport Minister Edward Katumba Wamala emphasized that Uganda Airlines currently handles up to 40 percent of traffic at Entebbe International Airport with a limited fleet, necessitating additional aircraft to stabilize operations and meet growing demand.
The government plans to acquire a total of ten aircraft: four mid-range or narrow-body Airbus planes, four wide-body Boeing aircraft, and two Boeing freighters. Pre-delivery payments totaling Shs522.264 billion (US$136 million) will be made in stages to Boeing and Airbus.
Currently, Uganda Airlines operates a fleet of seven aircraft: two Airbus A330-800neo wide-bodies, four regional Bombardier CRJ-900LR jets, and one wet-leased Airbus A320-200 to augment capacity. The airline serves approximately 17 destinations, including regional hubs such as Nairobi, Dar es Salaam, Juba, Johannesburg, Kinshasa, Lusaka, Harare, Abuja, Lagos, and long-haul international routes including Dubai and London Gatwick.
To mitigate operational challenges from its limited fleet, Uganda Airlines has relied on wet-leased A320-200 aircraft for high-demand or high-altitude routes, including Johannesburg and busy regional destinations.
More Read
MPs supporting the airline acknowledged its strategic importance but stressed the need for transparency and proper reporting. Ssemujju called for quarterly updates to Parliament on all supplementary expenditures.
The fleet expansion is intended to bolster Uganda Airlines’ passenger and cargo capacity, stabilize long-haul operations, and prepare for potential new routes, including services to China.
More background on Uganda Airlines
Uganda Airlines is the national carrier of Uganda, originally established in 1976 and re-launched in 2019 after a period of inactivity. The airline operates under the Ministry of Works and Transport and is wholly government-owned. Its revival is part of Uganda’s broader economic strategy to improve connectivity, boost tourism, and expand trade opportunities.
The airline currently operates a mixed fleet: two Airbus A330-800neo wide-body aircraft for long-haul routes, four Bombardier CRJ-900 regional jets, and short-term wet-leased Airbus A320s to supplement capacity on busy domestic and regional routes. Uganda Airlines serves around 17 destinations across Africa, the Middle East, and Europe, including Nairobi, Dar es Salaam, Juba, Johannesburg, Kinshasa, Lusaka, Harare, Abuja, Lagos, Dubai, and London Gatwick.
