Uganda Airlines has officially started scheduled flights to Lusaka, Zambia, and Harare, Zimbabwe, beginning September 25, 2024. These four-times-weekly flights will bridge the gap between East Africa and Southern Africa.
“We’re thrilled to return to Zambia and Zimbabwe, nations with strong historical and cultural ties to Uganda. These routes demonstrate our commitment to enhancing travel options, providing safe, affordable, and reliable air transport services to connect the continent,” said Uganda Airlines CEO, Ms. Jenifer Bamuturaki.
The airline’s CRJ 900-LR fleet will operate these services, reducing travel time between Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe by over six hours and eliminating lengthy layovers.
“These flights cater to passengers terminating in Uganda and those connecting to our network, including Nairobi, Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar, Kilimanjaro, Bujumbura, Dubai, Mogadishu, Johannesburg, Mombasa, Mumbai, Lagos, Abuja, Juba, and Kinshasa,” Ms. Bamuturaki added.
The inaugural flight UR 720 departed Entebbe at 10:00 am, arriving in Lusaka at 11:45 am and proceeding to Harare at 12:30 pm. Uganda’s Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Hon. Matia Kasaija, led the delegation on the inaugural flight.
Speaking to the media in Entebbe, High Commissioner of Uganda to Zambia, Amb. Col (rtd) Fred Mwesigye, said, “The new route not only symbolizes the historical bonds of the three countries but also represents a strategic move to enhance social and cultural exchange leading to the boosting of business cooperation.”
Hon. Matia Kasaija emphasized, “Air travel bridges distances and is even more important in Africa, where alternative means of transport to connect the continent are lacking. It is my hope to see an improved balance of trade between the three countries.”
“It is my hope that improved air connectivity between our countries will support a vibrant travel market that facilitates better business, trade, and tourism linkages between Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe,” Kasaija added.
In Lusaka, Zambia’s Minister of Transport and Logistics, Museba Frank Tayali, welcomed the commencement of flights from Entebbe, saying, “The commencement of flights will enhance the already existing business linkages and create opportunities to promote tourism, trade, and foreign direct investments in Zambia and Uganda.”
At the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport in Harare, High Commissioners Paul Amoru (Uganda) and Winpeg Moyo (Zimbabwe) emphasized the flight’s significance.
“As members of the East African Community and the South African Development Community, Uganda and Zimbabwe are working towards enhanced connectivity that fosters economic growth and development,” Amb. Moyo said.
With Lusaka and Harare added to its network, Uganda Airlines now serves 16 destinations, marking the completion of its initial route expansion ahead of further growth beyond Africa.
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