Aviation History
Uganda's original national carrier operated from the mid-1970s until 2001, when financial troubles forced its closure; Entebbe International Airport, its home base, is separately famous internationally as the site of the July 1976 Air France hijacking and Israeli hostage-rescue raid. After 18 years without a flag carrier, the government re-established Uganda Airlines, which took its first commercial flight in 2019 and has since expanded regionally and to Europe.
Uganda's first national flag carrier was established as a state-owned airline in the mid-1970s.
A hijacked Air France flight was diverted to Entebbe International Airport, leading to the internationally famous Israeli commando rescue raid known as Operation Entebbe.
Uganda Airlines folded after roughly 25 years, leaving the country without a flag carrier for nearly two decades.
The government incorporated a new national carrier, Uganda National Airlines Company, on 30 January 2018 to relaunch scheduled flag-carrier service.
After receiving its Air Operator Certificate in July 2019, the new Uganda Airlines flew its inaugural commercial service from Entebbe to Nairobi on 28 August 2019.
Uganda Airlines launched direct service to London Gatwick on 18 May 2025, its first destination outside Africa.
Uganda Airlines (relaunched 2019) · Air Uganda (private carrier, ceased 2014) · Eagle Air Uganda
Wikipedia, Uganda Civil Aviation Authority, airline history archives