ANNIVERSARY: Uganda Airlines shows that time really flies

COMMENT | Samson Tinka |   Time really flies. Uganda Airlines marked 5 years in the sky on 28th Aug 2024. That was the date an inaugural flight departed Entebbe for Nairobi.

We celebrate these five years because this is a milestone for the national career. The naysayers gave the airlines a month to collapse, thereafter gave it a year but 5 years down the road the Flying Crane is still carrying Uganda’s flag across the region  and beyond.

The celebrations are in order because every achievement should be celebrated.

Why do I celebrate the 5 years of Uganda airlines.

1.Dreams come true
President Yoweri Museveni and the government made a commitment, and worked through several roadblocks to succeed. This was a dream come true. Some dreams stop in beds, on paper or even in boardrooms but this one came to reality. Thank you Mr president, the vision bearer. You shut down the naysayers.

2. Ugandas unpaid marketing manager
In these last 5 years Uganda airlines has sold Uganda’s image more than any other person or agency. From Nairobi to Mogadishu, to Bujumbura, to Lagos, to Mumbai, to Dubai to Johannesburg etc. passengers to and from these cities get to know Uganda and its culture through the magazines provided inflight. Passengers that have used these flights often give feedback of an absolute outstanding cabin service. Uganda airlines has taken Uganda to the world at zero cost. Ministries of Finance and Tourism ought to be served with an invoice for this service rendered by Uganda Airlines.

3. Promotion of trade
Up to 70% of passengers on Dubai and Mumbai flights are traders. They carry Ugandans products especially matooke, beans, posh, fish, fruits , flowers to UAE and India.  Airbus A320neo has cargo capability of around 45metric tones and quite often the loads have been good on both journeys. In fact some routes like Kinshasa, Uganda Airlines is unable to carry out all the cargo bookings most times.

4. Uganda airline’s employing over 500 Ugandans
I got to know that over 500 Ugandans are directly employed by Uganda airlines and these make over 90% of the total number of employees. 99% of the heads of departments are Ugandans including the CEO. 97% of the suppliers are Ugandans. Items like uniforms, foodstuffs, general supplies are all outsourced and supplied by local population. Remember in Uganda one head of family or one employee supports around 7people or more.

5.Direct connection
Before Uganda Airlines was relaunched, a passenger from Uganda to Mogadishu needed close to 14 hours for a journey that is under 2 hours. KQ or ET would take over ten hours between Entebbe and Mogadishu. This was occasioned by long layovers at airlines hubs Nairobi and Addis respectively. Any destination that Uganda airlines flies to is a direct flight. Direct connections save time, money and aids transactions.

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— Uganda Airlines (@UG_Airlines) August 16, 2024

6. Covid and Khartoum evacuations
During Covid many Ugandans were stranded especially those in West Africa. Uganda airlines airlifted them back to Uganda. When war broke out in Sudan Ugandans, Uganda airlines once again brought Ugandans back to their country . If you asked any passenger that belonged to either group he or she would tell you that it was a second life to them. They faced death in both countries until they were rescued.

7. Hijja to Mecca
Twice in a row, Uganda airlines has transported Hajjis and Hajjat’s to the holy city of Mecca. The cost of this journey came down by 60% and unlike other airlines offered more seats to ensure Ugandans would not miss out. To the moslem community going for hijja is the milestone in life.

8. Training ground to upcoming aviators
Every month Uganda airlines offers over 30 students internships slots. Internships are part of  any academic journey.

9. Corporate social responsibility
In these five years Uganda airlines have supported public in many ways and somehow impacted positively on some individuals and communities including building shelter for a couple in eastern Uganda. Uganda airlines has become an enabler not only for trade but also for Uganda government businesses. Mobility is critical in trade, leadership, management, social service delivery etc.

10. Taking Uganda to the world
Sixreen destinations, three coming on board in September while London and China are also in sight. These advancements are testimony of a gradual and positive graph as far as UR growth is concerned. If it wasn’t for Covid-19, certainly Uganda airlines would have been far.

I, a frequent traveller with Uganda airlines join them in celebrating the five years of connecting us to different people,  cities and towns. I congratulate UR leadership for one of the best cabin services.

The longer it keeps in the sky the better for me, you and Uganda at large.

Dear Ugandans, let’s support our airline, make it your airline of choice today and tomorrow. I and my family will always travel with Uganda Airlines. Let’s show the world that “yes we can” as President Obama said.

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