Uganda Airlines and Boeing Sign $985 Million Deal for 10 Aircraft in Major Fleet Expansion

AeroMorning – June 11, 2026

Entebbe, Uganda 10 June 2026 — Uganda Airlines has signed a landmark agreement with Boeing for the acquisition of 10 aircraft, in a deal valued at approximately $985 million (about 3.7 trillion Ugandan shillings).

The signing ceremony took place at State House in Entebbe on 10 June 2026 and was attended by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, senior government officials, and representatives from Boeing.

Deal structure and aircraft composition

Government-linked sources indicate that the order includes:

• 8 passenger aircraft
• 2 cargo freighters

The freighter component is reported to include:

• A Boeing 767 converted freighter
• A Boeing 737 Boeing Converted Freighter (BCF)

The exact models of the passenger aircraft have not been officially confirmed by Boeing at this stage, although reports suggest a mix of narrowbody and possibly widebody aircraft. Final configuration details remain subject to official delivery specifications.

Government framing of the deal

Uganda’s State House described the agreement as a strategic step to improve national connectivity and economic development, stating that the fleet expansion will: Strengthen trade, tourism and investment, and position Uganda as a key regional aviation hub.

Uganda Airlines fleet before the deal

Before this expansion, Uganda Airlines operated a small, two-type fleet focused on regional and limited long-haul operations.

Passenger fleet

• 1 × Airbus A330-800neo (long-haul international routes)
• 4 × Bombardier CRJ900 (regional routes in East and Central Africa)

Cargo capability

• No dedicated freighter aircraft
• Cargo carried mainly in passenger aircraft belly-hold capacity

This limited fleet size constrained long-haul frequency and cargo expansion potential.

Network and route structure

Uganda Airlines operates from Entebbe International Airport, serving a growing regional and intercontinental network.

Regional Africa

• Nairobi
• Kigali
• Dar es Salaam
• Juba
• Mogadishu
• Johannesburg

Middle East & Asia

• Dubai
• Mumbai
• Guangzhou (operational status may vary depending on scheduling and fleet availability)

Europe

• London Gatwick (launched as part of recent long-haul expansion)

The airline’s long-term strategy reportedly targets expansion to over 30 destinations within the next decade, depending on fleet growth and infrastructure development.

Strategic significance

Analysts view the Boeing agreement as a major scaling milestone for Uganda Airlines, relaunched in 2019 after more than a decade without a national carrier.

Key expected impacts include:

• Increased long-haul capacity and international reach
• Development of dedicated cargo operations
• Higher frequency on regional routes
• Strengthening Uganda’s position in East African aviation
• Support for tourism and trade growth

Outlook

Although the agreement has been signed, delivery schedules have not yet been officially confirmed. Industry observers expect phased deliveries, with passenger aircraft likely arriving before freighter conversions.

The deal represents a major step in Uganda Airlines’ transition from a primarily regional carrier toward a more competitive international airline.

Source: AeroMorning