Uganda Airlines has announced the launch of two new African destinations—Accra in Ghana and Kigali in Rwanda—as the national carrier moves to strengthen regional connectivity and tap into growing demand for business, tourism, trade and investment travel.
The airline said it will begin four weekly flights to Accra starting 27 October 2026, followed by daily flights to Kigali from 18 November 2026.
In announcing the expansion, the carrier described the move as a major milestone in its strategy to deepen its footprint across the continent under the theme: “Two New Cities. One Crane.”
Uganda Airlines said the addition of the two destinations responds to increasing demand for direct air links within Africa, noting that both cities present significant opportunities for commerce and economic cooperation.
“These destinations present significant opportunities in business, trade, tourism, and investment, key drivers of air transport demand,” the airline said.
According to the airline, both Accra and Kigali remain under-connected to much of Eastern and Southern Africa despite their growing importance as commercial and diplomatic hubs. Uganda currently does not operate direct scheduled services to either destination.
The launch of the Accra route is expected to improve travel between Uganda and West Africa, offering passengers a direct connection to one of the continent’s fastest-growing economies and reducing reliance on indirect flights through other regional hubs.
Meanwhile, the new Kigali service is expected to significantly strengthen connectivity within the East African region. The daily flights are likely to benefit business travellers, tourists and government officials moving between Uganda and Rwanda, while also supporting regional integration efforts under the East African Community.
The expansion comes as Uganda Airlines continues to grow its network and position itself as a key connector between East, Central, Southern and West Africa. Improved connectivity is also expected to enhance cargo movement, facilitate cross-border trade and provide more travel options for passengers across the continent.
Industry analysts have long argued that increased direct air links between African cities are essential to unlocking the potential of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which seeks to boost intra-African trade by reducing barriers to the movement of goods and people.
For Uganda, the new routes are expected to support tourism by attracting more visitors from West Africa while creating easier access for Ugandan travellers heading to Ghana and Rwanda for business, education, conferences and leisure.
The announcement underscores Uganda Airlines’ continued network expansion strategy as it seeks to increase its presence in underserved African markets and strengthen Entebbe International Airport’s role as a regional aviation hub.
With the introduction of Accra and Kigali, Uganda Airlines aims to provide passengers with greater connectivity across the continent while supporting economic growth through enhanced air transport links.
