Uganda Airlines has signed a landmark agreement with Boeing to acquire 10 new aircraft in a deal valued at approximately $985 million (Shs 3.7 trillion). The order, signed on June 10, 2026, at State House Entebbe and witnessed by President Yoweri Museveni, includes eight passenger jets and two converted freighters. This represents the largest fleet expansion in the airline’s modern history and a major shift toward Boeing platforms for long-haul, regional, and dedicated cargo operations.
New Boeing Fleet
Four Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners (Long-Haul Wide-Body Passenger Jets)
These flagship aircraft form the cornerstone of Uganda Airlines’ intercontinental ambitions.
- Seating capacity: Up to 294 passengers in a typical three-class configuration.
- Key features: Advanced composite construction for superior fuel efficiency (20-25% better than previous-generation wide-bodies), long range (capable of non-stop flights to Europe, Asia, and the Middle East), larger windows, improved cabin humidity and pressurization, and LED mood lighting.
- Role: Enabling direct long-haul routes from Entebbe, reducing reliance on hub connections (e.g., via Addis Ababa or Dubai), and boosting tourism and business travel. The 787-9 offers excellent payload-range flexibility for African long-haul operations. aerospaceglobalnews.com
Four Boeing 737 MAX Family Aircraft (Narrow-Body Passenger Jets)
Optimized for regional and medium-haul routes across Africa and beyond.
- Likely variant: 737 MAX 8.
- Key features: Latest-generation CFM LEAP-1B engines, advanced winglets, redesigned aerodynamics, large touchscreen flight decks, and significant improvements in fuel burn and noise reduction compared to older 737 models.
- Role: Serving high-frequency regional routes, filling capacity gaps, and supporting growth in intra-African connectivity. These will complement the airline’s existing smaller regional fleet (CRJ900s). ch-aviation.com
One Boeing 767 Wide-Body Converted Freighter (BCF)
A passenger-to-freighter conversion designed for longer-haul cargo operations.
- Key features: Reinforced cargo floor, large side cargo door, palletized loading system, and substantial belly + main deck volume for high-volume freight.
- Role: Dedicated long-haul cargo services for Uganda’s key exports (fresh fish, flowers, coffee, perishables, and pharmaceuticals), enabling better reliability and higher payload than belly cargo on passenger flights. ubc.go.ug
One Boeing 737 Converted Freighter (BCF)
A narrow-body freighter suited for shorter and medium-haul cargo routes.
- Key features: Efficient for regional operations with quick turnaround times and lower operating costs.
- Role: Supporting intra-African and nearby international cargo networks, feeding into the larger 767 freighter for hub-and-spoke logistics out of Entebbe. ubc.go.ug
Strategic Impact of the New Uganda Airlines Fleet.
This balanced mix — 4 long-haul wide-bodies + 4 regional narrow-bodies + 2 dedicated freighters — addresses current limitations in capacity, route flexibility, and cargo reliability. Deliveries are expected to begin with cargo aircraft around 2027, followed by passenger jets (first phase likely starting with the larger Dreamliners). Boeing will also provide comprehensive technical support, pilot and engineer training, and capacity-building programs.
The expansion aligns with Uganda Vision 2040, aiming to position Entebbe as a regional aviation hub while driving economic growth in tourism, trade, agriculture, and minerals.3 Clickbait Titles Focused on the Fleet Breakdown
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