Uganda commits Shs 460bn deposit in Boeing aircraft deal
Uganda is set to sign an agreement with US aircraft manufacturer Boeing for the acquisition of four planes to support long-haul travel, in a move aimed at expanding the national carrier’s international network. The signing is expected to take place today at State House Entebbe, following a series of engagements between government officials and Boeing […] The post Uganda commits Shs 460bn deposit in Boeing aircraft deal appeared first on Daily Star.
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Uganda is set to sign an agreement with US aircraft manufacturer Boeing for the acquisition of four planes to support long-haul travel, in a move aimed at expanding the national carrier’s international network.
The signing is expected to take place today at State House Entebbe, following a series of engagements between government officials and Boeing representatives.
Sources indicate that the deal had initially been scheduled for last week but was deferred after President Yoweri Museveni directed that the documents undergo further scrutiny by the responsible minister and technical teams.
According to The Minister of Works and Transport Fred Byamukama, Government is expected to commit an initial deposit of about Shs 460 billion as part of the acquisition process, ahead of the delivery of the aircraft.
“We have a plan to acquire 10 aircraft in ten years however shall start with four this financial year,” he said.
The planned purchase comes as Uganda Airlines continues to expand its fleet and route network in line with its long-term growth strategy.
Currently, the national carrier operates a fleet of two Airbus A330-800neo aircraft used for long-haul routes, and four Bombardier CRJ-900LR jets serving regional destinations. The airline recently added an Airbus A320-200 under a short-term wet lease arrangement with Lithuanian firm DAT to boost capacity.
Uganda Airlines has in recent months expanded its international footprint, including the launch of direct flights to London Gatwick—its third destination outside Africa after Mumbai and Dubai.
The airline now serves 17 destinations, including Abuja, Lusaka, Harare, Nairobi, Mombasa, Dar es Salaam, Bujumbura, Johannesburg, Dubai, Zanzibar, Lagos, Kinshasa, Mumbai, Mogadishu, Juba and Kilimanjaro.
Under its strategic plan, Uganda Airlines intends to acquire additional mid-range aircraft such as the Airbus A320 and A321neo, alongside long-haul Boeing Dreamliners to strengthen its intercontinental operations.
The airline is also planning to expand into cargo operations, with proposed acquisition of a narrow-body Boeing 737 freighter and a wide-body Boeing 777 freighter.
Future route expansion plans include Accra in Ghana, Jeddah and Riyadh in Saudi Arabia, and Cape Town in South Africa. By the end of its 10-year strategy, the airline aims to operate between 32 and 35 destinations.
Officials say the Boeing deal, once concluded, will mark a significant step in positioning Uganda Airlines as a competitive player in regional and international aviation.
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