Uganda Airlines has signed a deal to acquire eight new Boeing passenger aircraft as it seeks to expand its network and strengthen Entebbe’s position as a regional aviation hub.
The order, announced at the Farnborough International Airshow in the United Kingdom, includes four Boeing 737-8 MAX aircraft for regional and medium-haul operations and four Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners for long-distance flights.
It is the first time Uganda Airlines has placed a direct commercial aircraft order with Boeing, marking the start of a new partnership between the national carrier and the American aircraft manufacturer.
The agreement builds on a framework deal signed earlier at State House, Entebbe, in the presence of President Yoweri Museveni. It was signed by Uganda Airlines Acting Chief Executive Officer Ato Girma Wake and Boeing Vice President for Africa Anbessie Yitbarek.
The partnership also provides for the possible purchase of two cargo aircraft in the future—a Boeing 767-300 Boeing Converted Freighter and a Boeing 737-800 Boeing Converted Freighter—as the airline prepares to establish dedicated cargo operations.
Beyond aircraft acquisition, the agreement covers pilot type-rating training, technical assistance, aircraft maintenance development and cooperation with Soroti Flying School to strengthen Uganda’s aviation skills and training capacity.
Wake said the deal would play a key role in the airline’s expansion plans and Uganda’s wider ambition to turn Entebbe into a major aviation hub.
“This commitment with Boeing marks a defining step in Uganda Airlines’ growth journey and in our broader ambition to position Entebbe as a strategic aviation hub for the region,” Wake said.
He added that the new fleet would improve Uganda’s links to regional, African and international markets while supporting tourism, trade, investment and the development of the country’s cargo sector.
The 737-8 MAX aircraft are expected to serve routes across Africa, as well as destinations in the Middle East and India. The larger 787-9 Dreamliners will be used for long-haul services to Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
Boeing Senior Vice President for Commercial Sales and Marketing Brad McMullen welcomed the agreement, saying the company was ready to support Uganda Airlines as it enters its next phase of growth.
The aircraft manufacturer says the 737-8 MAX and 787-9 use between 20 and 25 per cent less fuel than the aircraft they replace, potentially helping airlines reduce fuel consumption and operating costs.
Wake said the agreement was not simply about buying aircraft but also about building a long-term relationship covering technical expertise, engineering support, training and other areas needed to develop Uganda’s aviation industry.
Uganda Airlines currently operates four Bombardier CRJ900 regional jets and two Airbus A330-800neo wide-body aircraft. The planned Boeing fleet is expected to increase the airline’s passenger capacity, support the opening of new routes and expand its presence in regional and international markets.
