Uganda Airlines has placed its first-ever direct aircraft order with Boeing, committing to purchase four Boeing 737-8 MAX and four Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners as the national carrier accelerates plans to expand its fleet and position Entebbe as a leading aviation hub in East Africa.
The order, announced at the Farnborough International Airshow in the United Kingdom, marks a significant milestone for the state-owned airline, which resumed operations in 2019 after nearly two decades of inactivity.
It is also Boeing’s first direct commercial aircraft order from Uganda Airlines and signals the carrier’s confidence in growing demand for air travel across Africa and beyond.
The acquisition will allow Uganda Airlines to strengthen both its regional and long-haul operations. The 737-8 MAX aircraft, capable of flying up to 6,480 kilometres, will primarily serve destinations across Africa as well as routes to the Middle East and India. The 787-9 Dreamliner, with a range of approximately 15,370 kilometres, is intended for long-haul services to Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
Uganda Airlines Chief Executive Officer Girma Wake described the agreement as a defining moment for the airline’s future.
“This commitment with Boeing marks a defining step in Uganda Airlines’ growth journey and in our broader ambition to position Entebbe as a strategic aviation hub for the region. The aircraft will strengthen our ability to connect Uganda more efficiently to regional, continental and international markets, while supporting trade, tourism, investment and cargo development,” he noted.
Wake added that the partnership extends beyond aircraft acquisition.
“This partnership brings together Uganda Airlines and Boeing in a long-term relationship focused not only on fleet growth, but also on technical excellence, training and capacity building.”
Boeing said the combination of the latest-generation 737 MAX and 787 Dreamliner aircraft will enable Uganda Airlines to expand its network while reducing fuel consumption by between 20% and 25% compared with older-generation aircraft, improving both operating costs and environmental performance.
The order follows an aircraft acquisition agreement signed in June between Uganda Airlines and Boeing in the presence of President Yoweri Museveni. While the broader framework covered ten Boeing aircraft, including dedicated freighters, the latest announcement confirms the airline’s first passenger aircraft order comprising eight jets.
Uganda Airlines currently operates a mixed fleet that includes Airbus A330-800neo wide-body aircraft for long-haul services, Bombardier CRJ900s for regional routes and a Boeing 737-800. The addition of the new Boeing aircraft will significantly modernise and diversify the fleet while supporting the airline’s long-term expansion strategy.
The airline currently serves 17 destinations in 13 countries from its hub at Entebbe International Airport. Management has identified additional regional destinations, including Accra and Kigali, as part of its network expansion plans, while continuing to strengthen international connectivity.
The fleet investment comes as Uganda seeks to position aviation as a catalyst for economic growth. Improved connectivity is expected to support tourism, facilitate trade, strengthen cargo operations and attract greater investment into the country. Entebbe’s strategic location also offers Uganda Airlines an opportunity to compete more aggressively with established regional carriers such as Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways and RwandAir for transit traffic across East and Central Africa.
For Boeing, the agreement reinforces Africa’s growing importance as airlines across the continent modernise ageing fleets to meet rising passenger demand. For Uganda Airlines, it represents a pivotal investment that could shape the carrier’s competitiveness for decades, provided it successfully translates fleet expansion into sustainable commercial growth and a broader international network.
