Speaking during the Uganda – UK business Forum, the Secretary to the Treasury Ramathan Ggoobi said that Uganda Airlines is still in the investment phase and that no returns are expected yet.
This after the Auditor General’s report for the 2024 financial year indicates that Uganda National Airlines reported a net loss of 237 billion shillings which was a slight improvement from 324 billion shillings loss made in 2023
Mr. Ggoobi stated, “The airline is yet to make profits since it is still in an investment phase, noting that the government is set to procure more mid-range air crafts, cargo air crafts and smaller aircrafts to conduct domestic flights.”
Ggoobi further welcomed the new developments at Uganda Airlines as it set to launch direct flights to London Gatwick next month, urging the international business community to take advantage of it.
He stated “I would, to use this opportunity to call upon the local and international business community here today to explore ways of leveraging the opportunities being opened up through Uganda Airlines’ expansion to support our vision for a tenfold increase in the Gross Domestic Product.’’
In her remarks, Lisa Chesney, the British High Commissioner to Uganda, urged Uganda’s private sector to take advantage of the free trade preference the country has with the UK, especially with the coming of direct flights between the two countries.
Lisa said that the UK waived 95 percent of the tariffs on Ugandan exports to the country and that the opportunity given by the launch of the direct flights should not be ignored. Uganda Airline’s new route to London Gatwick, will see the airline flying four-times per week.
In her opening remarks at the #UGUKBusinessForum, our CEO, Ms. Jenifer Bamuturaki notes that such forums present a valuable opportunity to listen to expectations, engage in meaningful dialogue and explore how we can continue refining Uganda Airlines as we expand our network in… pic.twitter.com/PIiSSFFNvx
— Uganda Airlines (@UG_Airlines) April 16, 2025
Jenifer Bamuturaki, the Chief Executive Officer at Uganda Airlines, in her remarks said that despite coming almost five years later, the London route was among their initial target as a strategic destination because of the relationships between the two countries.
She described the London route as of great strategic importance due to shared history, culture, business and social ties between the two countries.
Tickets for the new Entebbe-London Gatwick route are now available through the Uganda Airlines website www.ugandairlines.com, the Uganda Airlines App, airline booking offices, and authorized travel agents.
