Entebbe, Uganda – 1 October 2026 – Jambojet, East Africa ‘s leading low-cost carrier, has resumed operations on the Nairobi-Entebbe route with its inaugural flight from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Nairobi, to Entebbe International Airport, officially restoring its daily service between Kenya and Uganda.
The flight was welcomed at Entebbe with a traditional water salute and a ceremony attended by government officials, tourism bodies, travel trade partners, corporate clients and the media.
The guest of honour was Mr. Fred Byamukama, Uganda’s Minister of Works and Transport. Jambojet was represented by its leadership team, led by Board Director Mrs Patricia Ithau.
Jambojet return comes as traffic through Entebbe reaches record levels. Entebbe International airport handled 2,486,893 international passengers in 2025, up from 2,243,104 in 2024, 1,932,094 in 2023 and 1,574,405 in 2022.
That is growth of about 11% in a single year and nearly 58% since 2022.
August 2025 set the airport's highest-ever monthly figure, with 243,089 international passengers passing through.
On cargo, the airport handled 69,595 metric tonnes in 2025.
Strong Demand Across East Africa
The Kenya–Uganda corridor is one of the busiest in the region.
Uganda is Kenya ‘s largest regional source market, sending 234,556 visitors in 2025. That was 31% of all arrivals from Africa and 8.7% more than the year before.
Kenya aims to raise arrivals from Uganda to 300,000 in 2026, a 27% increase, supported by better air links between Nairobi and Entebbe. Across Kenya as a whole, the country received an estimated 2.7 million international visitors in 2025. ATTA
Minister Byamukama, said that air connectivity is central to Uganda’s ambitions for trade, tourism and regional integration.
“The return of Jambojet to Entebbe gives our travellers, business people and exporters more choice, more capacity and more affordable access to Kenya and beyond. We welcome this investment and look forward to seeing the route grow,” Byamukama stated .
Uganda Civil Aviation Authority , Director General Fred Bamwesigye , officially welcomed Jambo jet back to the Ugandan airspace.
“The return to Entebbe International Airport is a clear vote of confidence in Uganda’s air transport system and demonstrates the growth of the aviation industry in the region. A vibrant aviation sector is the lifeblood of economic growth.
Whenever you have competition in the aviation industry, it enhances efficiency and cost effectiveness. We look forward to realization of this. Jambo jet is expected play a critical role in providing affordable air transport, breaking down financial barriers, and making regional travel accessible to businesspersons, families, and tourists,” Bamwesigye stated .
Bamweisigye said that UCAA as regulators its primary objective has always been to create an enabling environment that fosters sustainable growth and enhances connectivity.
“ However, as we open our skies, we also hold our partners to the highest standards. We therefore regularly appeal to all operators in our airspace to remain firmly committed to meeting strict safety and security protocols, and delivering highly efficient services to the traveling public. Excellence in these areas is what will sustain this route and build lasting passenger trust,” Bamwesigye added.
He said that Uganda through UCAA continues to maintain an impeccable safety and security record, and in that respect attained an effective implementation score of 72.64% in the ICAO Universal Safety Oversight Audit in 2023, compared with regional and global averages of 55% and 69.4%, respectively. In aviation security, Uganda achieved an impressive 81.6% in the ICAO security audit conducted in 2024, against regional and global averages of 64.5% and 72.36%.
Jambojet will operate daily flights between Nairobi and Entebbe, with one-way fares starting from KES 22,950 (approximately USD 170 which is Ug.shs.650,000).
Ugandan travellers can connect through Nairobi to Kenya’s coast, including Mombasa, Diani, Malindi and Lamu. The airline is also introducing commercial cargo services on the route to support trade between the two countries.
Jambojet Board Director , Patricia Ithau said said the resumption of operations presents an opportunity to grow connectivity, tourism, trade and relationships between two important East African markets.
Jambojet MD and CEO , Karanja Ndegwa said that airline they want to the Entebbe route to grow with the market.
“We are starting with a daily flight and, as demand grows, our intention is to increase frequencies and give customers even greater choice and flexibility. But the opportunity extends well beyond Nairobi and Entebbe. Ugandans already travel to Kenya in large numbers. In 2025, Uganda was Kenya’s largest source market in the region, with 234,556 visitors. That is nearly a third of all African arrivals. Kenya aims to welcome 300,000 visitors from Uganda this year, a 27% increase, and better air links are central to that goal,” he stated .
A Year of Growth
The Entebbe launch comes during a strong year for Jambojet. The airline grew its active fleet to 11 aircraft in April 2026, welcomed its 10 millionth passenger in June 2026, and recorded an On-Time Performance of 86.45% in July 2026. By July 2026, Jambojet held an estimated 57% share of Kenya’s domestic aviation market.
Jambojet first flew to Entebbe in 2018. Its regional operations were paused during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the airline focused on its domestic network in Kenya.
