Uganda Airlines to expand beyond East Africa - CEO

Entebbe. The chief executive officer of Uganda Airlines Company, Mr Cornwell Muleya, has said the country’s national carrier is set to expand its activities beyond the East African region where it has been operating since its inauguration in August.
“We are currently flying to five destinations, that is Nairobi, Bujumbura, Dar es salam, Juba, and Mogadishu, with the coming of the rest of the fleet on the regional aircrafts, we are yet to expand our footprint to cover many more points in East Africa and beyond,” he said.
Mr Muleya made the remarks after receiving two more Bombardier CRJ900 aircrafts, which will complete the regional operating fleet of four planes at Entebbe International Airport yesterday.
He said a careful selection of the aircraft was done because the airline is leveraging on new technologies both in terms of passenger performance, comfort on board and the space on the aircraft type.
“We believe we are bringing a new service to the aviation sector, at Uganda Airlines, we have reached a new milestone. In December 2020 and January 2021, we will be receiving two of our A330-800 neo, the aircraft that we will be using to connect Uganda to the overseas markets,” Mr Muleya said.
The State Minister for Works, Gen Katumba Wamala, advised Ugandans to support the airlines and desist from negativity.
“We are looking at markets such as China, already the Minister for Agriculture told us that there is a lot of demand for Uganda’s fish in China because of its good quality. Let us use it to make our economy better,” he said.
The director general of Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA), Mr David Mpango Kakuba, said UCCA will give Uganda Airlines all the assistance required in its operations.
“Just ensure that you are on the right side of the law and the right side of the regulator that is us, we will give you all that you want,” he said.
The Uganda Airlines board chairperson, Mr Godfrey Ahabwe, said an investment in a national airline is an investment in the country’s infrastructure. “Our growth and service facilitates the growth and success of our country through the promotion of tourism and building international relations,” he said.
President Museveni’s Message
Opportunity. President Museveni in a speech delivered by Gen Katumba Wamala, the State Minister for Works and Transport, said Uganda has developed systems and procedures in place that will not compromise safety and security of clients.
“Uganda plays a critical role in the geo-political and economic stability in the East African region. With our national airline our brothers and sisters in South Sudan, DRC, Kenya, Tanzania, Kenya, Burundi and elsewhere will be able to easily access our markets and easily connect to their homes,” he said.
The President said the national carrier presents unlimited opportunities across all sectors and it’s success will make a substantial contribution.