Emirates Marks 25 Years of Connecting Uganda to the World

Emirates is celebrating 25 years of operations in Uganda. This marks a quarter century since its first flight touched down in Entebbe in 2000. Since then, the Dubai-based carrier has transported 2.8 million passengers on 15,900 flights. This has helped link Uganda to more than 140 destinations across its global network.

To commemorate the milestone, Emirates operated a special one-off flight and aircraft showcase of its fully refurbished Boeing 777.

From its early days operating a thrice-weekly service linked with Nairobi and Addis Ababa, Emirates has steadily expanded its Entebbe operations to meet rising demand. The route became a direct service in 2007, and in 2015, the airline introduced the Boeing 777-200LR, boosting seat capacity by 12%.

Today, Emirates operates the three-class Boeing 777-300ER, and remains the only international airline offering a First Class cabin to and from Uganda.

“Uganda is not only a key market on our network, but also one of our most loved destinations in Africa,” said Mohamed Taher, Emirates’ Country Manager for Uganda. “Over the last 25 years, we have built strong and prosperous ties with customers, partners and stakeholders. As Uganda’s tourism and aviation sectors continue to flourish, we are proud to play a pivotal role in connecting international travellers to the country and helping passengers from Uganda explore more of the world in comfort.”

The airline has also collaborated with the Uganda Tourism Board over the past two years to promote the country’s natural landscapes, wildlife, and adventure experiences across key international markets.

Since January 2025, this partnership has helped drive a 16% increase in passenger numbers on the Dubai–Entebbe route, with notable growth in travelers from the US, China, India, the UK, Thailand, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.

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