Entebbe, (UG):- Uganda’s national carrier, Uganda Airlines Thursday launched its inaugural direct flight to Abuja, Nigeria’s capital in a move aimed at bolstering trade and bilateral relations between the two African nations.
The maiden flight departed Entebbe International Airport at 4 pm on Tuesday and arrived at the Abuja Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport at about 6:15 pm on the same day.
While flagging off the inaugural Uganda Airlines UR 900 service on Thursday evening, the State Minister for Works & Transport Hon Fred Byamukama expressed optimism that the new Abuja route will promote economic development and investment between the two countries
“Abuja is an important economic and political hub in Nigeria that plays a crucial role in bilateral cooperation between Uganda and Nigeria,” Hon Byamukama stated.
“Therefore, by establishing the Abuja route, Uganda is improving connectivity between the two countries. This would facilitate investment and economic cooperation, contributing to economic growth between the two countries,” he added.
According to the minister, “Africa is severely disconnected, which makes cooperation and commerce very difficult and expensive, in the absence of efficient and functional road, rail and waterways, air transport is the low-hanging fruit as member states move to implement the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCTA).”
Uganda Airlines Chief Executive Officer Jenifer Bamuturaki said Abuja is the national carrier’s 14th destination amid future expansion plans.
“Uganda Airlines’ new service is, therefore, important because it addresses the connectivity gap between the administrative capital of Africa’s most populous nation and East Africa. Through this service, travellers from Nigeria’s central, northern, and northeastern regions can seamlessly connect to our services to Nairobi, Dar es Salaam, Mombasa, Mogadishu, Mumbai and Dubai, among others,” Bamuturaki said earlier this year.
The acting High Commissioner for Nigeria to Uganda, Mr Fehintola Adebowale Oyeyemi in his remarks said: “I’m proud to tell you that since the announcement of this route, we have seen an increase in trade and investment between the two countries.”
The Abuja flights come just one year after Uganda Airlines launched services to Lagos in Nigeria. The flights will be available on Thursday and Sunday and will be operated using the flagship Airbus A330-800neo aircraft.
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