Uganda Airlines has expanded its African network with the launch of flights to Accra, Ghana, in a move expected to strengthen commercial ties between East and West Africa, improve tourism opportunities and ease the movement of passengers and goods across the continent.
The national carrier inaugurated the Entebbe–Accra service on October 27, 2026, adding Ghana’s capital as its 18th destination as Uganda seeks to position Entebbe International Airport as a regional aviation hub.
The new service will operate four times a week using a Boeing 737-800 aircraft, with a stopover in Lagos, Nigeria. According to the Ministry of Works and Transport, the journey between Uganda and Ghana is expected to take approximately five hours, reducing the time passengers previously spent connecting through other international airports.
Speaking at the launch ceremony, State Minister for Planning Amos Lugoloobi said the new connection should be viewed as an economic opportunity rather than simply an expansion of the national airline’s passenger network.
He said the route would facilitate access to West African markets for Ugandan agricultural products, including roasted coffee, tea, sugar, edible oil, fruits, horticultural products and pharmaceuticals.
Lugoloobi also called on Ghanaian investors to explore opportunities in Uganda’s manufacturing, energy, information technology and healthcare sectors, saying stronger commercial relationships could support investment and economic transformation in both countries.
The Chairperson of the Uganda Airlines Board of Directors, Priscilla Serukka, said the new service would address longstanding travel difficulties between East and West Africa, where passengers previously relied on lengthy connections through Europe and other international destinations.
Works and Transport Minister Fred Byamukama said the improved connection would reduce travel inconveniences and strengthen movement between the two countries.
He also highlighted the importance of developing Uganda’s aviation sector to support trade, tourism and wider regional integration.
Meanwhile, Uganda Airlines Acting Chief Executive Officer Girma Wake said the Accra route would create opportunities for travellers from both countries to explore each other’s tourism attractions.
He pointed to Uganda’s wildlife, freshwater fish and natural attractions as potential draws for Ghanaian visitors, while Ugandans travelling to Ghana would have easier access to the country’s historical and cultural sites.
Wake also emphasised the importance of developing cargo operations to ensure the route contributes to the movement of commercial goods in addition to passengers.
The airline said the service would strengthen Entebbe’s position as a connecting point for travellers moving between African destinations and international markets.
The launch was followed by another development for the national carrier after Ghana granted Uganda Airlines fifth-freedom traffic rights between Lagos and Accra.
The approval allows the airline to transport passengers and cargo between Nigeria and Ghana on its Entebbe-originating service, potentially creating an additional revenue opportunity beyond passengers travelling directly to or from Uganda.
The airline has indicated that it intends to gradually increase flight frequencies from the initial four weekly services as passenger demand develops.
The new air connection also presents an opportunity for Uganda’s tourism sector to strengthen its presence in West Africa.
Uganda has continued to promote its wildlife, cultural heritage and natural attractions to international markets, while improved air connectivity could make it easier for visitors from Ghana to access destinations across the country.
The route could also support business tourism by facilitating travel for investors, entrepreneurs, conference participants and other professionals seeking opportunities in either market.
For Ugandan exporters, however, the benefits will depend partly on the airline’s ability to develop reliable cargo services and offer competitive transport arrangements for agricultural and manufactured products.
The expansion comes as African countries seek to strengthen intra-African trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area, which aims to improve access to markets and encourage the movement of goods and services across the continent.
Uganda Airlines’ Accra service therefore adds another connection to the country’s regional aviation network, with the potential to support trade, tourism, investment and closer relations between Uganda and Ghana.