KAMPALA, UGANDA: 10 JUNE 2026 — In a major move to scale up its operations, national carrier Uganda Airlines has officially signed a commitment with American aerospace giant Boeing to acquire ten new aircraft. The landmark deal includes eight passenger planes and two cargo freighters, marking a massive expansion strategy aimed at boosting the country’s global connectivity and economic growth.
The high-profile signing ceremony took place at State House and was witnessed by His Excellency the President of the Republic of Uganda, senior government officials, US Embassy representatives, members of the Uganda Airlines Board of Directors, and executives from Boeing.
Boosting Passenger and Cargo Capacity
According to an official statement released by the airline, the fleet expansion is designed to dramatically increase passenger capacity across regional, continental, and international routes.
Beyond passenger travel, the deal addresses a critical gap in regional logistics by adding two dedicated cargo aircraft to the fleet: One Boeing 767 wide-body converted freighter, and One Boeing 737 BCF (Boeing Converted Freighter).
These new additions are expected to provide a major boost to Uganda’s export sector, facilitating faster trade, investment, and cargo development.
Driving Uganda Vision 2040
The investment is being positioned as a cornerstone for achieving the country’s long-term developmental goals, specifically Uganda Vision 2040, which aspires to elevate the nation to a sustainable middle-income status.
The airline noted that the expanded network will directly stimulate growth in the country’s ATMS priority sectors: Agriculture, Tourism, Minerals, and Services. By improving direct access to global markets, the country hopes to establish itself as the premier aviation and logistics hub for East Africa.
A Long-Term Partnership
Speaking during the ceremony, Boeing’s Vice President of Sales, Anbessie Yitbarek, committed the manufacturer to a long-term partnership with Uganda. Beyond delivering the physical aircraft, Boeing has pledged comprehensive support for the airline’s growth ambitions through technical expertise, specialized training, and localized capacity-building initiatives.
Uganda Airlines leadership extended its appreciation to the President, the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority, and its internal negotiation teams for their roles in advancing what they described as a “transformative initiative” for the nation’s aviation sector.
