Uganda Airlines has unveiled plans to bring key services, including aircraft maintenance and ground handling, in-house as the national carrier seeks to reduce operational costs and strengthen local aviation capacity.
The plan was presented to the Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, during a briefing by the airline’s executive leadership at the Special Forces Command Headquarters in Entebbe.
The airline’s Acting Chief Executive Officer, Girma Wake, said management is working to build internal capacity in areas that are critical to the carrier’s daily operations and currently contribute significantly to its costs.
A major component of the strategy is to develop the airline’s own aircraft maintenance and ground-handling capabilities while training Ugandan aviation personnel to undertake the specialised work.
The move is expected to reduce the carrier’s reliance on external service providers, lower operational expenses and create opportunities to develop a skilled local aviation workforce.
The airline also plans to improve the utilisation and performance of its existing aircraft as it prepares to expand its network.
Management outlined plans to expand international routes from Entebbe to destinations in Asia, Europe and the Middle East, while strengthening connections to regional African hubs.
Uganda Airlines currently flies to 17 destinations in 13 countries from Entebbe and plans to introduce direct flights to Accra and Kigali as it seeks to position Entebbe as a stronger regional aviation hub.
The national carrier is also considering establishing domestic routes to meet growing demand for air travel within Uganda.
The cost-cutting and capacity-building strategy comes amid broader changes at the airline aimed at improving corporate governance, stabilising daily operations and positioning the national carrier for long-term commercial growth.
Girma was accompanied by Chief Finance Officer Allan Joel Kyeyune, Acting Manager for Human Resource and Administration Anne Apio, and Acting Chief Commercial Officer Shakila Lamar Rahim.
Gen. Kainerugaba commended the airline’s leadership for the progress made and pledged his support for the strategy.
He said a strong national carrier is important to Uganda’s trade, regional integration and wider economic development.
Uganda Airlines management said government and industry support will remain critical to implementing the strategy, particularly in developing local technical expertise and strengthening the airline’s operational capabilities.
