Uganda Airlines - The Uganda National Airline Company
Uganda Airlines is Uganda’s official and legal Uganda national airline company and flag carrier with operations based at Entebbe International airport Uganda’s first and main international airport.
Entebbe international airport which is the head quarters of Uganda Airlines is strategically located in Entebbe town at the shores of Lake Victoria 37 Kilometres away from Uganda’s capital Kampala.
The current Uganda Airlines is a revival of the formerly defunct Uganda Airlines which was started during former president Idi Amin Dada’s regime in 1977 before being shutdown in 2001.
The rejuvenated Uganda Airlines was revived in August 2019 in renewed efforts by Uganda’s President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni to transform Uganda and boost socio-economic development.
Uganda Airlines was revived with six new jets in 2019 including the famous Bombardier CRJ900 which caused excitement among Ugandans in anticipation of the operation of Uganda Airlines. More jets included the wide-body, long-range A330-800 and two other jets the 5X-EQU and 5X-KOB
Uganda Airlines launched its first commercial flights on 28th August 2019 with flights scheduled to Nairobi, Mogadishu, Dar es Salaam, Juba, Kilimanjaro, Mombasa and Bujumbura.
The airlines first commercial flight was early morning on 28th August 2019, from Entebbe international airport to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) with only eight (08) passengers on board.
On 13 November 2019, Uganda Airlines launched the first flight to Kilimanjaro International Airport in Tanzania completing the first phase of operations to seven routes within the first 3 months which was started with flights to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
The airline was awarded an Air Operator Certificate on 27 July 2019, by the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority finalizing a five-step, three-month certification process clearing the airline to commence commercial operations.
The Airline has continued to do route expansion with the latest route being flights to and from London’s Gatwick international airport with 4 flights scheduled weekly out of London to Entebbe from May 2025.
More destinations include Riyadh, Lusaka, New York, Cape Town South Africa through Harare, Kinshasha, Lagos Nigeria, Abu dabi, Guanzhou, Jedda, Goma, Amsterdam, Addis Ababa, etc
Uganda airlines has been instrumental in promoting Uganda’s tourism and increasing its potential through partnerships with the Uganda Tourism Board under the Explore Uganda campaign with the Airline’s jets named after popular destinations across Uganda like Mount Rwenzori the name on one of the Bombardier CRJ900 jets.
A flight on Uganda Airlines will give you a taste of Uganda’s sweet tropical fruits served for your breakfast in flight and plenty of inspiring information in the Ngaali Flight Magazine highlighting the beauty of Uganda’s destinations to inspire you to explore Uganda.
There was expansion of several terminals at Entebbe airport to support operations of the airline and to improve efficiency at Entebbe international airport.
Ownership of Uganda Airlines – The Uganda National Airline Company
The Uganda Airlines is a Uganda government parastatal jointly owned by the Ministry of Works and Transport as well as the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic development with the two ministries constituting part of the airlines 7 member board.
Ground Handling by Uganda Airlines – The Uganda National Airline Company
Uganda Airlines does ground handling with an estimated manpower of over 200 employees and with an equipment investment of over $3M million U.S dollars. This has been eased by expansion of Entebbe international airport.
Associations and memberships of Uganda Airlines – The Uganda National Airline Company
National Airlines Company Limited is a member of the African Airlines Association, (AFRAA), Uganda Airlines together with Entebbe International Airport and the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority underwent the ICAO Oversight Safety Audit to receive certification.
How to pay for your Uganda Airlines flight
There are several payment options to pay online for Uganda Airlines services.
Online Payment
Once you’ve booked your flight online or through the Customer Centre, you can pay quickly and securely using MasterCard, Visa or American Express.
Book Now Pay Later
Passengers can make their booking online and make the payment within 24 hours after making the booking. This option allows them to make their booking now and get time to make schedule change without making the payment within the 24-hour mark.
If you wish to pay using cash or mobile money, select the ‘Pay later’ option when you book your flight online or through the Customer Centre. You can then pay at the Airport or at any of their Branch offices.
The ‘Pay at Airport’ option is only available for flights departing within the next 24 hours. This option will allow customers to make reservations online and complete the payment at the airport up until 2 hours before the flight’s departure time.
Another payment method on the Uganda Airlines website is a payment option that allows passengers to make payments at any branch office.
Please note:
If a credit or debit card has been used to pay on behalf of someone else, they’ll need to see a photocopy of the front and back of the credit or debit card and a photocopy of the cardholder’s passport at the airport.
If the passenger is unable to produce the photocopies at the airport, Uganda Airlines will not allow the passenger to travel.
Credit or debit cards can’t be used to pay on behalf of someone else traveling to or from Somalia or South Sudan.
Please note:
If you’re traveling in Economy Class, your booking will be on hold for 4 hours allowing you time to make the payment. You must pay for your flight within 4 hours.
If you’re traveling in Business Class, you’ll have 4 hours to make the payment.
If your flight booking has both Economy and Business Class as part of your trip, you must pay for your flight within 4 hours.
Travelling with Infants and Toddlers on Uganda Airlines
Accommodation of infants and toddlers onboard
All infants except those seating in a car seat, are held on the lap of the accompanying passenger during take-off and landing and whenever the “fasten seat belt” sign is on.
An extension seat belt which is attached to the standard seat belt, shall be used.
Only when the “fasten seat belt” sign is not on, can the infant be put in the baby cot.
Infants seating on a seat shall be supported by pillows and strapped to the seat with the lap belt.
Infants not having a seat shall remain seated on the lap of the accompanying passenger.
Items not to carry in your checked baggage while flying with Uganda airlines:
Items that are fragile or perishable
Jewellery, watches or similar valuable items
Computers or personal electronic devices
Stored data on items such as a hard drive or USB drive
Cameras or delicate camera equipment
Medication or medical equipment
Important documents including your passport, visa, certificates, or business documents.
Prohibited Items (Dangerous Goods) Baggage on Uganda airlines
For the safety of passengers and aircraft, passengers are prohibited from carrying the following items in either checked or hand baggage:
Explosives, ammunitions, fireworks, and flares
Security-type cases/boxes incorporating goods such as lithium batteries or pyrotechnics
Compressed gases (flammable, non-flammable, or poisonous) such as butane, propane, aqualung cylinders, lighter fuels, or refills
Oxidizing substances such as bleaching powder and peroxides
Flammable liquids such as paints and adhesives
Flammable solids such as safety matches and articles which are easily ignited
Poisons such as arsenic, cyanides, or insecticides
Radioactive Materials
Corrosive materials such as mercury (which may be contained in thermometers or blood pressure gauges,) acids, alkalis, and wet cell batteries
Any other substances which, during a flight, present a danger not covered above, such as magnetized, offensive, or irritating materials
Lighters (butane, absorbed fuel, electric, battery-powered, and novelty lighters) are not to be carried in the carry-on and checked baggage
In addition, passengers are not allowed to carry the following items in their hand baggage for passengers’ safety and security reasons.
To minimize inconvenience, you are advised to check-in or put these items in your checked baggage instead.
Knives (including hunting knives, swords, and pocket knives)
Scissors and any other sharp/bladed objects (e.g. icepick, nail clippers) considered illegal by local law.
Do ensure that all your bags are properly labeled, both inside and outside. Include your full name, home and destination addresses and telephone contact information, and remove old destination tags and labels.
Any liquid over 100mls.
EXEMPTED SPORTS EQUIPMENT ALLOWED IN CHECKED BAGGAGE ON UGANDA AIRLINES
Golf Clubs
We have a flexible baggage policy on sports equipment, just make sure it weighs less than 32kg and is no longer than 300cm. Most sports equipment can be included as part of your baggage allowance, and if you’re flying with golf clubs, you can take one golf bag for free, in addition to your checked baggage allowance
You can carry one set of clubs for free, weighing up to 15kg. This is in addition to your baggage allowance. One set may consist of clubs, balls and one pair of golf shoes. If you’re carrying a golf umbrella separately, this will count as an additional item and fees may apply
Scuba Diving Equipment
Scuba diving equipment can be included as part of your baggage allowance as long as they do not exceed the maximum dimensions of 300cm. A set of scuba diving equipment includes:
Buoyancy control device (BCD)
Scuba regulator
Face mask, fins and snorkel
Tank harness
Tank pressure gauge (pressure-sensitive devices may need special packaging: the manufacturer will be able to highlight any specific packing requirements)
Weight belt
Cylinder tank (must be empty and presented at check-in for inspection)
Spear guns and harpoons are not permitted in your checked or cabin baggage without approval. You must obtain the relevant permits from all countries that you are visiting or transiting through at least seven days before your journey. For your health and safety, we recommend you pack your diving equipment in hard or padded case. We do not accept liability for your equipment whilst you travel
Bikes
Bikes can be included as part of your baggage allowance as long as they do not exceed the maximum dimensions of 300cm. Make sure your bike is carefully packed in a protective case or bike box. Before you travel, please remove or fix the pedals inwards. The handlebars must be fixed sideways, and tires deflated to reduce the risk of damage. If you need to carry additional parts, you may be required to buy additional baggage.
Water Sports & Surfboards
You can take surfboards and water sports boards as part of your checked baggage allowance. They must be no longer than 300cm, otherwise they must be carried as cargo and charges will apply. These includes: –
Surfboards
Wakeboards
Wave skis
Boogie boards
Skim boards
Paddle boards
Speed boards
Kiteboard / Kitesurf
Keels, kedges, and/or fins must be removed or properly protected
You will be charged excess baggage fees if you exceed your overall baggage allowance
Fishing Equipment
You can take a set of fishing equipment as part of your checked baggage allowance. They must be no longer than 300cm, otherwise they must be carried as cargo
A set of fishing equipment includes:
Two rods
One reel
One landing net
One pair of fishing boots
One tackle box
All equipment must be carried in one package
You will be charged excess baggage fees if you exceed the agreed weight.
Uganda Airlines – The Uganda National Airline Company can be your preferred airline when booking your East African safari to Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, Kenya, DR Congo and South Sudan