Uganda’s Aviation Boom: Why Aligning Air Routes with Tourism Is Key to Unlocking Growth
Uganda’s aviation sector is experiencing a remarkable resurgence, with Entebbe International Airport surpassing pre-pandemic benchmarks and setting new records. In 2024, the airport handled over 2.2 million international passengers, a 17.8% increase from the previous year, and well above the figures recorded before COVID-19 disrupted global travel. This surge is not limited to passenger numbers; cargo exports—especially of flowers and fish—are also climbing, reflecting a broader economic revival.
At the heart of this momentum is Uganda Airlines, which has rapidly expanded its network. With a modern fleet of A330neos and CRJ900s, the national carrier now connects Uganda to 14 countries, serving 18 destinations across 21 routes [[1]](https://allafrica.com/stories/202510060483.html). New direct flights to key cities such as Mumbai, Lagos, Abuja, and London Gatwick have further enhanced Uganda’s global connectivity, making it easier for international visitors and business travelers to access the country [[2]](https://chimpreports.com/entebbe-international-airport-records-surge-in-passenger-and-cargo-traffic-in-june-2025/).
Regional airports are also seeing unprecedented growth. Facilities in Arua and Mbarara are registering double- and triple-digit increases in passenger traffic, signaling a shift toward more distributed air access and the potential for regional tourism circuits. Yet, despite these impressive statistics, a critical question remains: is this aviation progress translating into tangible benefits for Uganda’s tourism sector and, by extension, the broader economy?
For aviation to become a true engine of national prosperity, it must be closely intertwined with tourism. Uganda’s natural and cultural assets are world-class. The country straddles the equator, boasts the snow-capped Rwenzori Mountains, is home to the source of the Nile, and shelters half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas. Major events such as the Nyege Nyege Festival in Jinja and the Rwenzori Marathon are drawing international attention and generating millions for local economies. Kampala has proven its capacity to host large-scale conferences, from the Non-Aligned Movement Summit to continental agriculture forums, bringing in waves of delegates, media, and business leaders.
However, the aviation system is not yet fully optimized to harness this demand. Many African travelers still face high costs and circuitous routes, sometimes finding it easier to transit through hubs like Dubai than to fly directly within the continent. Domestic airports such as Kasese and Gulu, while growing, remain underutilized. Uganda Airlines’ expanded African network is a step forward, but its schedules and pricing are not always aligned with the country’s tourism calendar or major events.
Other African destinations offer instructive examples. Cape Town Air Access in South Africa is a partnership model that brings together airlines, government, and the tourism sector to strategically target new routes based on leisure and business demand. In just five years, Cape Town added over a dozen new international routes and saw a tourism windfall worth billions of rand. Rwanda, meanwhile, has made RwandAir a central pillar of its MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) strategy, ensuring that every major conference bid is paired with guaranteed air access, hotel readiness, and a tailored tourism package.
Uganda has yet to reach this level of integration. Currently, aviation and tourism operate on parallel tracks: the airline sells flights, the tourism board promotes attractions, but rarely do they collaborate to co-create demand. This separation risks underutilizing airports, underfunding the national carrier, and underselling Uganda’s extraordinary natural and cultural wealth.
The path forward is clear and urgent. First, air access must be aligned with tourism demand. Uganda Airlines and private carriers should work hand-in-hand with the Uganda Tourism Board to design flight schedules and fares around key festivals, marathons, and summits. Seasonal charters to Kasese during the Rwenzori Marathon or additional frequencies around Nyege Nyege could stimulate demand and demonstrate the viability of new routes.
Second, secondary airports should be developed as tourism gateways. Airports like Arua, Mbarara, and Kidepo should not only serve local travelers but anchor regional tourism circuits. By tying safari packages and cultural experiences directly to regional flights, Uganda can spread tourism benefits far beyond Kampala and Entebbe, unlocking new opportunities for local communities and businesses.
Third, institutionalized collaboration is essential. A joint aviation-tourism task force could pool data on visitor arrivals, event calendars, airfares, and load factors to pitch Uganda more effectively to global tour operators and airlines. This body could also negotiate incentives to attract new carriers and frequencies, following the successful example set by Cape Town Air Access.
The timing for such integration could not be better. Uganda is set to co-host the Africa Cup of Nations in 2027 alongside Kenya and Tanzania, an event that will generate unprecedented visitor numbers. The aviation-tourism partnership must be in place before then to capture the full economic dividend. Every major sporting event, cultural festival, and international summit from now on can serve as a test case to refine this collaborative model.
The ripple effects of every international arrival are profound. Increased air connectivity means more opportunities for craft makers, smallholder farmers, cultural performers, youth seeking employment as guides and drivers, and tourism entrepreneurs. This is the true multiplier effect—one that transforms not just the aviation and tourism sectors, but entire local economies.
Uganda stands at a crossroads. The choice is between allowing aviation and tourism to progress in isolation, risking underutilized infrastructure and missed opportunities, or forging a partnership that drives jobs, exports, and global visibility. By choosing the latter, Uganda can position itself as a genuine regional hub, supporting an ecosystem that delivers substantial returns on investment and sets a benchmark for the rest of Africa.
