By KT Reporter
Uganda Airlines passengers on international routes have been facing delays and cancellations of flights since yesterday.
Complaints first came from Entebbe-Dubai (United Arab Emirates) passengers who reported getting several flight reschedules until, according to one affected passenger, they were reportedly told they would not be flying until Sunday.
It has now been confirmed by the national flag carrier’s management that there are operational challenges the airline is facing, particularly on long routes.
The management, in a brief statement, said that the incident was due to operational challenges, adding, “We are currently experiencing disruptions on our long-haul schedules operated with our Airbus A330-800neo aircraft.”
According to the route schedules, the long-haul routes operated by Uganda Airlines’ Airbus A330-800neos include the new direct route between Entebbe and London Gatwick, which was launched in May 2025. The others are the Entebbe to Dubai route and Entebbe-Mumbai (India).
Most of the seventeen African routes are operated by the smaller Bombardier CRJ 900 regional jets.
The company has not explained what caused the operational challenges, but there are public views that the existing fleet is being overworked, with little time for aircraft to recover after flights.
Uganda Airlines currently operates two Airbus A330-800neo aircraft in its fleet, which operate its three long-haul international routes, including four weekly non-stop flights between Entebbe International Airport and London Gatwick.
Others are three direct flights weekly to Mumbai, and four times a week on Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays to Dubai.
While Dubai has been considered the most lucrative route, the Gatwick flights have been increasingly getting more demand, especially for cargo. Over the last few months, the airline management says, they have realised full capacity cargo from Entebbe to London, with bookings going several months ahead.
Uganda Airlines plans to acquire new aircraft, including two cargo aircraft freighters, and open up new routes that could include long ones; Jeddah and Riyadh (Saudi Arabia), Guangzhou (China) and regional ones; Accra (Ghana) and Cape Town (South Africa).
The company’s 10-year strategy also included acquiring six new jets and adding at least 15 new international and regional destinations.
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