Emirates Celebrates Quarter-Century of Linking Uganda with the World

Emirates, the world’s largest international airline, is celebrating 25 years of operations in Uganda — a milestone that reflects a quarter-century of connecting Ugandan travellers to the world and bringing global visitors to the Pearl of Africa.

Since launching its first flight to Entebbe in 2000, the airline has carried more than 2.8 million passengers on 15,900 flights, linking Uganda to Emirates’ extensive global network via Dubai.

Over the years, Emirates has steadily expanded its presence in Uganda, adapting to growing customer demand. The airline began with three weekly flights that were initially linked with Nairobi, and later Addis Ababa, before introducing direct Entebbe–Dubai services in 2007. In 2015, Emirates upgraded to the Boeing 777-200LR, replacing the Airbus A330-200 and increasing capacity by 12%. Today, it operates a three-class Boeing 777-300ER, remaining the only international airline offering a First Class cabin to and from Entebbe.

Promoting Uganda on the Global Stage

For the past two years, Emirates has worked closely with the Uganda Tourism Board to boost inbound tourism, highlighting Uganda’s breathtaking landscapes, rich wildlife, adventure experiences, and vibrant culture across key international markets. The partnership has shown promising results — since January 2025, the airline has seen a 16% rise in passenger numbers on the Dubai–Entebbe route, with most travellers coming from the US, China, India, the UK, Thailand, and the Middle East.

Investing in Local Communities

Beyond its commercial success, Emirates has also made meaningful contributions to Ugandan communities. Through its ‘Dubai 7s for Good’ CSR programme, the airline raised a record UGX 587 million in September 2024 to develop community infrastructure and sports facilities at North Road Primary School — a local institution known for excellence in rugby, football, and netball.

As part of the initiative, Emirates has built a new rugby pitch with shaded bleachers for 2,000 spectators, installed 16 solar-powered water stations, and donated sports equipment — all aimed at empowering local youth through education and sport.

A Special Anniversary Flight

To mark the silver jubilee, Emirates operated a special one-off flight to Entebbe featuring its refurbished four-class Boeing 777, followed by a static display showcasing its latest cabin products — including the Premium Economy Class, which made its debut in Uganda.

Guests on the tour included key figures from Uganda’s aviation and tourism sectors such as General Edward Katumba Wamala, Minister of Works and Transportation; Fred Bamwesigye, Director General of the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority; Rashid Alardha, Emirates’ Vice President for Sub-Saharan Africa; and Mohamed Taher, the airline’s Country Manager for Uganda.

Visitors experienced the aircraft’s fully refreshed interiors — from the lie-flat luxury of First and Business Class to the comfort and fine dining of Premium Economy, and the thoughtful touches that define Economy Class, including kid-friendly amenities and entertainment options.

Looking Ahead

The newly refurbished Boeing 777 is part of Emirates’ US$5 billion retrofit programme, one of the largest in the industry. The project, managed entirely by Emirates Engineering, will upgrade 219 aircraft — including both A380s and Boeing 777s — to deliver a consistent, world-class travel experience. So far, 72 aircraft have been completed, and by 2026, passengers on all Emirates routes, including Uganda, will enjoy the refreshed cabins.

Mohamed Taher, Emirates’ Country Manager for Uganda, expressed that Uganda is not only a key market for the airline but also one of its most cherished destinations in Africa. He highlighted that over the past 25 years, Emirates has built strong, prosperous relationships with customers, partners, and stakeholders by investing in operations to provide top-tier service. He also noted that as Uganda’s tourism and aviation sectors continue to grow, the airline takes pride in playing a crucial role in connecting international travelers to Uganda and helping Ugandans explore the world in comfort.