President Yoweri Museveni has witnessed the signing of a Shs3.7 trillion aircraft acquisition agreement between Uganda Airlines and Boeing, in a major fleet expansion expected to transform the national carrier’s long-haul, regional and cargo operations.
The agreement was signed on Wednesday at State House Entebbe by Uganda Airlines Acting Chief Executive Officer Girma Wake and Boeing Vice President of Sales for Africa, Anbessie Yitbarek, in the presence of senior government officials, Uganda Airlines board members and Boeing representatives.
Under the agreement, Uganda Airlines will acquire 10 Boeing aircraft, including four Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, four Boeing 737 MAX passenger aircraft, one Boeing 767 wide-body converted freighter and one Boeing 737 Boeing Converted Freighter.
The acquisition marks a significant shift in Uganda Airlines’ fleet strategy, with the carrier seeking to strengthen long-haul connectivity, expand regional routes and establish dedicated cargo operations from Entebbe.
Speaking on the sidelines of the signing ceremony, Yitbarek said Boeing’s partnership with Uganda Airlines would go beyond aircraft supply to include technical support, training and aviation capacity building.
According to reports, Boeing is expected to support pilot type-rating training, technical assistance, development of aircraft maintenance capacity and possible support towards equipping Soroti Flying School.
The support to Soroti Flying School is seen as crucial for Uganda’s growing aviation sector, as expansion of the national carrier will require more trained pilots, engineers, technicians, dispatchers and maintenance systems.
The Boeing agreement comes at a time when Uganda Airlines continues to face pressure on its wide-body fleet.
The airline launched long-haul operations with two Airbus A330-800neo aircraft, enabling it to open intercontinental routes. However, technical challenges affecting the aircraft have tested the carrier’s operational flexibility.
Currently, one of the aircraft, registration 5X-CRN, remains grounded at Entebbe International Airport, while the second, 5X-NIL, is handling long-haul operations, including flights to London and India.
This has left Uganda Airlines heavily reliant on a single active wide-body aircraft for key international routes, exposing operational vulnerabilities associated with maintaining a small fleet.
Although the Airbus A330-800neo is a modern aircraft, it remains one of the less widely operated wide-body variants globally, presenting challenges related to spare parts, specialist maintenance and technical support.
The aircraft are powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines and covered under a Rolls-Royce TotalCare maintenance agreement, which supports engine servicing throughout the aircraft lifecycle. However, industry experts note that engine support alone does not eliminate operational disruptions caused by grounded aircraft.
The planned acquisition of four Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners is expected to significantly ease pressure on Uganda Airlines’ long-haul operations by increasing fleet depth, operational flexibility and access to a wider global maintenance and support network.
Uganda Airlines has already begun shifting towards Boeing aircraft in its medium-haul operations. The airline is set to receive two Boeing 737-800 aircraft on lease from Ethiopian Airlines, with one already integrated into the fleet.
The Boeing 737-800 is expected to provide greater seating capacity and improved range compared to the CRJ900 regional jets, allowing the airline to better match aircraft size to demand on busy African and Middle East routes.
The cargo component of the agreement is also expected to boost Uganda’s export sector.
Uganda Airlines plans to acquire a Boeing 767 wide-body converted freighter and a Boeing 737 converted freighter, moving the carrier towards dedicated freight operations instead of relying primarily on passenger aircraft belly cargo.
Dedicated cargo aircraft are expected to support exports of fresh produce, flowers, fish, pharmaceuticals and other time-sensitive goods requiring reliable air transport.
Uganda Airlines Cargo and Logistics Services Manager Maurice Ongwech said the airline has experienced cargo capacity shortages due to limited belly-hold space on regional CRJ900 aircraft.
He noted that since Uganda Airlines began cargo operations in 2021, freight volumes have grown steadily, driven by increasing demand for transportation of perishables and fresh exports.
Minister of Works and Transport Fred Byamukama said the aircraft acquisition aligns with government plans to strengthen Uganda’s aviation sector, expand Entebbe International Airport and complete Kabalega International Airport in Hoima.
According to Byamukama, the new fleet will improve direct air connectivity, support tourism and trade, and reduce Uganda’s dependence on foreign transit hubs.
He added that government also plans to expand domestic air travel after stabilising international operations, with potential routes to Gulu, Kotido, Kidepo and Mbarara.
Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development Henry Musasizi said the fleet expansion, covering both passenger and cargo aircraft, would boost trade, tourism and investment, while positioning Uganda as a key aviation hub in the region.
