(Abuja) – Uganda Airlines has officially touched down in Abuja, Nigeria in a grand display of aviation diplomacy that would make even the most seasoned airport handlers raise an eyebrow. The inaugural flight, which landed with all the pomp and circumstance of a royal procession, might just be the beginning of a new chapter in the Uganda-Nigeria flight book—or perhaps just an ambitious attempt to boost both countries’ frequent flyer miles.
The landing of Uganda Airlines’ inaugural flight at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on September 12 was nothing short of an international gala. The dignitaries were as star studded as a Nollywood premiere or an event at the Kampala Serena Hotel. The runway was packed with officials, including Dr. Hassan Ejibunu, Nigeria’s Director of Air Transport, who stood in for the aviation minister, Festus Keyamo. Also gracing the occasion was Ambassador Nelson Ocheger, Uganda’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, and members of the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), who all gathered to witness this historic flight. If there were red carpets, they would have been rolled out.
Leading the Ugandan delegation was Fred Byamukama, the State Minister of Transport, who presumably made sure that all in flight refreshments met the high standards of both Ugandan and Nigerian taste buds. Byamukama was on hand to proclaim that this new direct flight from Entebbe to Abuja and Lagos would be as game changing as the debut of Jollof rice in an international culinary contest. He suggested that this route would not only reduce travel time but also ease the financial strain of doing business between the two nations. It is like saying the cost of a boda boda ride in Kampala would now be the same as a regular trip to the supermarket—well, almost.
Uganda Airlines will now be flying to Abuja twice a week—Thursdays and Sundays, because it is the “perfect schedule” for anyone who needs a weekend getaway or a mid week business trip. The timing is such that you can fly out on Thursday, negotiate trade deals, and still make it back in time for Sunday lunch.
In a bid to capitalize on the newfound flight route, the Uganda High Commission, in partnership with Uganda Airlines, hosted the 4th Nigeria-Uganda Trade & Business Forum on September 13. The event was as packed as a Lagos market on a Saturday afternoon, with stakeholders from both nations discussing opportunities with the fervor of a football match’s final minutes.
Ambassador Ocheger took the opportunity to congratulate Uganda Airlines for adding Abuja to its roster of destinations. This new route, now the airline’s 14th, is seen as a crucial bridge between Uganda and Nigeria. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, this flight will not only facilitate trade but also bolster tourism and investment, which are the cornerstones of the mission’s mandate.
With the Abuja route added to its list, Uganda Airlines now boasts 16 destinations, including the Lagos route launched in October 2023. This expansion could mean that in no time, Uganda Airlines might rival the frequent flyer lists of major international carriers—or at least give other African airlines a run for their money.
