Uganda Airlines is now commanding a 25.38% passenger traffic market share at at Entebbe International Airport, strengthening its position in the domestic market as the government commits hundreds of billions of shillings to expand the national carrier operations on the African continent , Works and Transport, Minister Fred Byamukama.
Byamukama, in a statement to Parliament said airline’s increased market share waas testamanet to the confidence passengers have in the national carrier as their number one air travel operator getting out of the country’s main international gateway- Entebbe airport .
“Uganda Airlines retained a strong 25.38% market share in terms of passenger traffic at Entebbe International Airport, underscoring the resilience of its brand,” Byamukama said.
The market share has increased from about 24 per cent previously reported by the government and is significantly higher than the four per cent recorded in 2019, when the revived national carrier began commercial operations.
Byamukama said Uganda Airlines carried 98,548 passengers between April and June 2026 while operating 1,845 flights across 17 routes.
“Uganda Airlines operated 17 routes, effectively flying on average five aircraft, making 1,845 flights as at the end of June 2026 according to periodical passenger traffic figure released by the regulator Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA),” he said.
During the period, the carrier operated with its six owned aircraft and one leased aircraft.
The figures come as the government pushes ahead with an ambitious expansion programme for Uganda Airlines. Byamukama said the carrier plans to acquire 10 new aircraft, with the government having so far committed Shs446 billion to the programme.
The planned fleet expansion is expected to increase passenger and cargo capacity, allowing the airline to increase flight frequencies and introduce additional destinations as it seeks to strengthen Entebbe’s position as a regional aviation hub.
Byamukama previously said the 10 aircraft would be acquired in phases, with the first four followed by another four and, finally, two aircraft.
The minister told Parliament that a key agreement supporting the acquisition programme had already been concluded.
“The Proposal Business Offer (PBO) Agreement for the acquisition of eight aircraft was signed on 10th June 2026,” he said.
Uganda Airlines has since announced its first Boeing order, comprising four Boeing 737-8 MAX aircraft and four Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners.
The broader fleet expansion programme also includes provisions for cargo aircraft, which are expected to increase the carrier’s capacity to handle freight.
The latest figures also highlight some of the operational challenges that have accompanied the airline’s expansion.
Byamukama said Uganda Airlines temporarily secured additional long-haul capacity after both of its Airbus A330 aircraft became unavailable.
“Uganda Airlines secured a wet lease agreement with Ethiopian Airlines for a Boeing 787-8 aircraft for a two-month period that ended May 2026,” he said.
He said the arrangement provided a short-term solution to support long-haul operations that had been affected by the grounding of the two A330 aircraft.
Uganda Airlines competes at Entebbe International Airport with major regional and international carriers, including Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways, RwandAir and several Gulf-based airlines.
Competition at the airport has also increased with the resumption of daily Nairobi–Entebbe flights by Jambojet, making it the 21st international airline operating at Entebbe.
Beyond fleet expansion, Byamukama said Uganda Airlines had begun the IATA Safety Audit for Ground Operations certification process and had commenced engagements with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency.
The government’s wider investment in the aviation sector also includes Kabalega International Airport in Hoima. Byamukama said 98 per cent of the airport’s physical works had been completed, with preparations for its operationalisation underway.
The government expects the combined investments in Uganda Airlines and airport infrastructure to strengthen the country’s aviation sector and improve its regional and international connectivity.
