Uganda Airlines Orders 10 Boeing Aircraft in $982M Deal

Uganda Airlines and The Boeing Company finalized an agreement on June 10, 2026, for the acquisition of 10 new aircraft. The transaction represents the largest fleet expansion for the national carrier since its commercial operations resumed in 2019.

The order is valued at approximately 3.7 trillion Ugandan shillings ($982 million) and includes eight passenger aircraft alongside two dedicated cargo aircraft. According to statements from State House Uganda, the acquisition is designed to bolster the country’s export economy and position Entebbe as a competitive regional aviation hub capable of challenging established networks in Nairobi, Addis Ababa, and Kigali.

Fleet expansion and cargo strategy

The cargo portion of the agreement includes a Boeing 767 converted freighter and a Boeing 737 Boeing Converted Freighter (BCF). Regional reporting indicates these dedicated freighters will primarily support Uganda’s export markets, specifically targeting the transport of coffee, flowers, and fish.

The eight passenger aircraft specified in the agreement will each feature a 294-seat capacity. While the exact Boeing model for the passenger jets was not explicitly named in the primary announcements, previous government funding documents have referenced Boeing Dreamliner aircraft. The new passenger capacity is intended to support the airline’s 10-year growth plan, which targets an expansion to 35 destinations.

This is a strategic investment in Uganda’s future and a major step towards establishing Uganda as a leading aviation hub in the region.

The official statement from Uganda Airlines emphasized the strategic nature of the investment. State House Uganda echoed this sentiment, noting that the fleet expansion will strengthen trade, tourism, and investment across the region.

Leadership and regional hub ambitions

The signing ceremony took place at State House Entebbe, attended by Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni. Reports from regional outlets present conflicting information regarding the Boeing signatory. The Daily Star identified Brad McMullen, Boeing Senior Vice President of Commercial Sales and Marketing, as the representative, the agreement was signed by Anbessie Yitbarek, Boeing Vice President of Commercial Sales and Marketing for Africa.

This major capital investment follows a significant leadership change at the carrier. On February 16, 2026, President Museveni appointed veteran aviation executive Girma Wake as acting Chief Executive Officer. Wake, the former CEO of Ethiopian Airlines, was brought in to rectify management issues and oversee the carrier’s strategic expansion.

Prior to this Boeing order, Uganda Airlines operated a mixed fleet. The carrier utilizes two Airbus A330-800neo aircraft for long-haul routes and four Bombardier CRJ-900LR jets for regional operations. The airline also recently added an Airbus A320-200 on a short-term wet lease to meet immediate capacity demands. The carrier currently serves 17 destinations and recently launched direct flights to London Gatwick, its third destination outside of Africa alongside Mumbai and Dubai.

AirPro News analysis

We view this 10-aircraft order as a highly ambitious pivot for Uganda Airlines, one that introduces significant operational complexity. Transitioning from a fleet built around Airbus widebody aircraft and Bombardier regional jets to incorporating a large Boeing contingent will require substantial investments in pilot training, maintenance infrastructure, and spare parts provisioning.

The decision to acquire converted freighters rather than factory-new cargo aircraft reflects a pragmatic approach to building dedicated freight capacity. This allows the airline to support national export initiatives without the higher capital expenditure associated with new-build freighters. The success of this expansion will likely depend heavily on the expertise of acting CEO Girma Wake, whose experience building Ethiopian Airlines into a dominant regional force aligns directly with Uganda’s goal of competing with established hubs in neighboring nations.

Sources: State House Uganda