Uganda Airlines has launched its new service connecting Entebbe and Accra, opening fresh opportunities for trade, tourism, investment and cooperation between East and West Africa.

The inaugural flight arrived in Ghana on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, marking a new phase in the national carrier’s expansion into West Africa. The service is scheduled to operate four times a week, providing travellers and businesses with an additional air connection between Uganda and Ghana.

Speaking during the launch ceremony at Accra International Airport, Uganda Airlines Acting Chief Executive Officer Ato Girma Wake urged African countries to strengthen cooperation, improve communication and work together to build a more united continent.

Wake said closer collaboration was particularly important as countries around the world faced multiple challenges that required stronger communication and collective action.

“I have a feeling that the world is in the midst of a crisis. That means people need help to communicate on all levels,” he said.

He emphasised that airlines should do more than transport passengers between destinations, arguing that improved connectivity should help people establish relationships, exchange ideas and pursue shared economic opportunities.

“When we come to Ghana, we are not only trying to lead the people to Ghana; we must help the people to come to Ghana and work together,” Wake said.

He expressed confidence that greater cooperation among African countries could contribute to a more prosperous continent, with improved connections supporting closer economic and social relationships.

The launch of the Entebbe–Accra service is intended to make those connections more practical by improving access between the two countries and creating additional opportunities for businesses, investors and tourists.

Uganda’s Minister of Works and Transport, Fred Byamukama, said the new service would significantly reduce the time passengers spend travelling between Uganda and Ghana.

He explained that journeys previously taking approximately seven to 10 hours, depending on the connecting airport, could now be completed in about five hours.

The shorter journey is expected to make travel more convenient for businesspeople and other passengers while helping reduce some of the difficulties associated with connecting flights.

The service operates between Entebbe International Airport and Kotoka International Airport in Accra using a Boeing 737-800 aircraft. Previous route announcements reported that the service would operate via Lagos, Nigeria.

State Minister for Planning Amos Lugoloobi said the new air connection could help Ugandan businesses reach markets in West Africa while encouraging Ghanaian investors to explore opportunities in Uganda.

He identified manufacturing, energy, healthcare and financial services among the sectors offering potential for investment and commercial partnerships.

Lugoloobi also encouraged businesses in both countries to take advantage of improved connectivity to develop partnerships and increase trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area, which seeks to expand commerce among African countries.

For Ugandan exporters, stronger access to Ghana could support efforts to reach new customers and develop commercial relationships in West Africa. Ghanaian businesses, meanwhile, could use the connection to explore opportunities in Uganda and the wider East African market.

Uganda Airlines Board Chairperson Priscilla Serukka described Accra as a strategic destination for strengthening connections between the eastern and western parts of the continent.

She said the new route would expand the airline’s regional network and provide passengers with additional travel options as the carrier pursues its ambition of serving 24 destinations.

The launch also coincides with the airline’s seventh anniversary, marking another stage in its efforts to expand its presence across African and international markets.

Ambassador Richard Kabonero, representing Uganda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, described the new service as an important development in Uganda’s economic and commercial diplomacy.

He said Uganda’s diplomatic missions would continue supporting the airline’s expansion and efforts to open new markets for the country.

Kabonero also highlighted the visa-free travel arrangement between Uganda and Ghana for holders of the two countries’ passports, saying it could help encourage tourism, business travel and stronger relations between their populations.

The arrangement provides an additional advantage for eligible travellers seeking to visit either country, although passengers should confirm applicable entry requirements before travelling.

The new route also reflects a broader ambition to strengthen African integration through improved transport links and closer economic cooperation.

Ghana’s founding president, Kwame Nkrumah, was a prominent advocate of continental unity and African economic cooperation. The expansion of air links between African countries represents one practical way of improving the movement of people and supporting commercial relationships across national borders.

For Uganda, the Accra service creates another opportunity to connect its businesses and tourism industry with West African markets. It also offers Ghanaian visitors a more convenient connection to Uganda, known for its wildlife, natural attractions and cultural heritage.

However, the long-term impact of the route will depend on passenger demand, cargo volumes and the ability of businesses and investors to translate improved connectivity into lasting commercial partnerships.

Maintaining reliable services and attracting sufficient traffic will also be important as Uganda Airlines continues to expand its network.

The launch of the Entebbe–Accra service therefore represents more than an additional destination for the national carrier. Its broader significance will depend on whether the improved connection helps Uganda and Ghana turn shared ambitions for African cooperation into measurable gains in trade, tourism, investment and people-to-people relations.