Ugandan Government Mandates the Use of Uganda Airlines for Official International Travel.
In a significant move aimed at bolstering the operations of the national carrier, Uganda Airlines, the Ugandan Cabinet has issued a directive compelling all government officials to exclusively use Uganda Airlines for their international travel needs, provided the airline serves the intended destination.
The announcement, made by the Minister for ICT and National Guidance, Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, emphasizes that the directive is applicable to civil servants, public officials, ministers, permanent secretaries, commissioners, and any other government personnel whose travel is funded or facilitated by the government. This directive represents a renewed effort to promote Uganda Airlines as the preferred carrier for official government business abroad.
Dr. Baryomunsi clarified the scope of the directive, stating, “We are making it mandatory that government officials must travel with Uganda Airlines where the national carrier is flying. Unless your destination doesn’t have Uganda Airlines as one of its routes, you can be excused.”
This initiative aims to enhance the utilization of Uganda Airlines’ services and boost its presence in the African aviation industry.
Uganda Airlines, which was relaunched in 2019 after a 20-year hiatus, has steadily expanded its fleet and route network. Currently, the national carrier operates a fleet of six aircraft, including two Airbus A330Neo with a capacity of 257 seats each and four 72-seat Mitsubishi CRJ-900 aircraft.
Uganda Airlines currently serves multiple destinations across Africa and the Middle East, including Nairobi, Mombasa, Mogadishu, Bujumbura, Dar es Salaam, Dubai, Johannesburg, Juba, Kilimanjaro, Kinshasa, and Zanzibar.
Furthermore, the airline has ambitious plans to add more destinations to its network, including Mumbai, London, and Guangzhou, demonstrating its commitment to becoming a key player in the global aviation market.
While a similar directive had been issued previously, compliance among government officials had been inconsistent. Dr. Baryomunsi emphasized that this time, the directive must be adhered to without exception, urging accounting officers, government agencies, and departments to ensure full compliance.
The decision to mandate the use of Uganda Airlines for official travel aligns with the government’s strategy to support and promote the national carrier, thereby contributing to the country’s economic growth and self-reliance in the aviation sector. As Uganda Airlines continues to expand its route network and enhance its services, it aims to compete effectively on the international stage and serve as a symbol of national pride.
