Uganda Airlines will begin direct flights between Entebbe and London Gatwick starting May 18, 2025, a move aimed at strengthening ties between Uganda and the UK. The new route, which will operate four times a week, marks the airline’s first-ever service to the UK, a significant market with a large Ugandan diaspora of around 200,000 people.
Flights will depart from Entebbe on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, with convenient departure times ranging from 00:05 to 09:25 local time. Passengers will travel aboard the Airbus A330-800neo, offering a total of 258 seats across three classes: business, premium economy, and economy. The journey takes between 8 hours 30 minutes to 9 hours 10 minutes, depending on the direction and weather conditions.
The flights will land at Gatwick between 07:35 and 16:55 GMT, with return departures from Gatwick running between 09:40 and 19:05 GMT, arriving back in Entebbe the following day. The one-way fares will start at $475 from Entebbe and £395 from London, with all taxes included. Tickets are already available for purchase through the airline’s website and agents.
Fred Bamwesigye, the director general of Uganda’s Civil Aviation Authority, praised the new route, calling it a “game-changer” for both tourism and trade between the two nations. By launching the service, Uganda Airlines aims to end the reliance on connecting flights via other hubs like Nairobi or Dubai, providing a more direct, faster, and convenient option for travelers.
The introduction of the London Gatwick route comes after years of planning and a shift from an initial plan to operate out of London Heathrow due to slot availability issues. Since its revival in 2019, Uganda Airlines has rapidly expanded its network to 14 destinations, using a fleet modernized with the fuel-efficient A330-800neo aircraft. Analysts expect the new Gatwick route to capture growing demand from both business and leisure travelers.
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