The government has issued a new rule for its civil servants regarding official travel. All government officials are now required to use Uganda Airlines, the country’s flagship national passenger and cargo carrier, for their trips to destinations serviced by the airline.
Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, the Minister for ICT and National Guidance, conveyed this decision made by the Cabinet. He emphasized that government officials should adhere to this directive unless their destination is not covered by Uganda Airlines.
This directive was initially issued in August 2019 by President Yoweri Museveni, instructing government officials in various ministries, departments, agencies, and parastatals to use Uganda Airlines for all destinations it serves. The Cabinet memo from August 5, 2019, outlined this requirement for ministers and ministers of state.
Uganda Airlines commenced operations in 2019, offering scheduled air transportation services in East Africa and neighboring international markets. It is now gearing up to expand its global connectivity, with plans to launch flights to Mumbai, India, and Lagos, Nigeria, starting from October 7, 2023.
In August 2023, Jennifer Bamuturaki, the airline’s CEO, disclosed that the company would soon announce additional new routes, following a visit by officials from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority. The airline also introduced a mobile application for customers to book flights online and access flight schedules, among other services.
Future international routes in the pipeline include Guangzhou, London, Jeddah, and Riyadh. Uganda Airlines has earned recognition, receiving the World’s Youngest Aircraft Fleet Award from Ch-Aviation in both 2021 and 2022.
The airline’s mission is to become a world-class carrier, offering superior service, global connectivity, and a commitment to excellence that surpasses customer expectations.