FARNBOROUGH, United Kingdom — Uganda Airlines has signed a landmark agreement with Boeing to purchase eight new passenger aircraft, marking the national carrier’s first direct order from the U.S. aircraft manufacturer as it seeks to expand its regional and international operations.
The deal, announced Tuesday during the Farnborough International Airshow, includes four Boeing 737-8 aircraft and four Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners. The acquisition is expected to strengthen the airline’s fleet while supporting growing passenger and cargo demand across Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Europe.
Uganda Airlines Chief Executive Officer Ato Girma Wake said the purchase represents a major milestone in the airline’s long-term growth strategy.
“This commitment with Boeing marks a defining step in Uganda Airlines’ growth journey and in our broader ambition to position Entebbe as a strategic aviation hub for the region,” Wake said.
“The aircraft will strengthen our ability to connect Uganda more efficiently to regional, continental and international markets, while supporting trade, tourism, investment and cargo development.”
The Boeing 737-8 will primarily serve regional and medium-haul routes. The aircraft can accommodate between 160 and 180 passengers and has a range of up to 6,480 kilometres, making it suitable for flights within Africa as well as to destinations in the Middle East and India.
The larger Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, with a range of up to 15,370 kilometres, will be deployed on long-haul routes connecting Uganda with Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
Boeing said the two aircraft models offer between 20 and 25 percent better fuel efficiency than the airplanes they replace, helping airlines reduce operating costs while lowering carbon emissions.
Brad McMullen, Boeing’s Senior Vice President of Commercial Sales and Marketing, said the company looks forward to supporting Uganda Airlines’ expansion.
“We’re pleased to welcome Uganda Airlines as a Boeing customer and support the airline’s next phase of growth with the 737-8 and 787-9,” McMullen said.
“These airplanes offer efficiency, range and versatility to help Uganda Airlines strengthen and expand its network.”
Wake said the agreement also includes collaboration beyond aircraft delivery.
“Just as importantly, this partnership brings together Uganda Airlines and Boeing in a long-term relationship focused not only on fleet growth, but also on technical excellence, training and capacity building,” he said.
“We are proud to celebrate this milestone at Farnborough as we invest in the future of our national carrier and in Uganda’s economic transformation.”
Uganda Airlines currently operates a fleet of six aircraft and flies to 17 destinations across 13 countries from its hub at Entebbe International Airport. The Boeing order will significantly expand the airline’s fleet and enhance its ability to open new routes while increasing frequencies on existing services.
The national carrier, which resumed commercial operations in 2019 after nearly two decades of absence, has identified fleet expansion as a key part of its strategy to position Uganda as a regional aviation and logistics hub.
The announcement came during the 2026 Farnborough International Airshow, one of the world’s largest aerospace exhibitions, where aircraft manufacturers and airlines traditionally unveil major commercial aviation deals.
