Uganda Airlines’ launch of a direct route to Mumbai, India, for the first time in 40 years has been praised by exporters in Uganda. The chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Exports and Industrial Development (PACIED), Odrek Rwabwogo, expressed his satisfaction with the airline’s efforts in developing export infrastructure, routes, and markets.
Rwabwogo thanked Jennifer Bamuturaki, the CEO of Uganda Airlines, and her team for introducing the Entebbe-Mumbai route for the national passenger and cargo carrier. He highlighted the historical and cultural connections between Mumbai and East Africa, particularly with the Gujarati community, which has engaged in trade with Africa for centuries.
Furthermore, Rwabwogo noted recent archaeological discoveries in Gorji (north-western India) and Teso District in Kenya that confirm trade in various grains, emphasizing the potential for enhanced trade, technology transfer, and tourism through the new air connection.
The inaugural flight to Mumbai is scheduled for October 7, 2023. Uganda Airlines had previously launched its first international flight to Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on October 4, 2021. The airline, which expanded its operations to Nigeria, started providing scheduled air transportation services in East Africa and near-international markets in 2019. It received the World’s Youngest Aircraft Fleet Award from Ch-Aviation in 2021 and 2022 and aims to be a world-class airline that exceeds customer expectations through high-quality service, global connectivity, and commitment to excellence.
