Emirates, the world’s largest international airline, has celebrated 25 years of operations to Uganda. Since the Dubai-based carrier’s inaugural flight in 2000, Emirates has transported 2.8 million passengers on 15,900 flights, connecting passengers from Entebbe (EBB) in Uganda, with its vast global network based at Dubai International Airport (DXB)
Since 2000, Emirates has strategically scaled its operations to Entebbe, evolving with customer demand. At the route’s launch, the service was operated three times a week and was linked with a Nairobi connection, and later with Addis Ababa, before becoming a direct standalone service in 2007.
In 2015, Emirates first operated the Boeing 777-200LR on the route, replacing the Airbus A330-200, a move that upgraded the seat capacity on the route by 12%. Now, Emirates operates a three-class Boeing 777-300ER and remains the only international airline offering a first-class cabin in and out of Entebbe.
According to the airline, since January 2025, Emirates has noted a 16% uptick in passengers on the Dubai-Entebbe route, with key traffic from the US, China, India, the UK, Thailand, and the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
Commenting on the anniversary, Mohamed Taher, Emirates’ Country Manager for Uganda, said, “Uganda is not only a key market on our network, but also one of our most loved destinations in Africa. Over the last 25 years, we have built strong and prosperous ties with customers, partners, and stakeholders by investing in our operations to provide a best-in-class service.”
“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,” he added.
To mark the milestone, Emirates operated a special one-off flight to Entebbe with a fully refreshed four-class Boeing 777, followed by a static tour to showcase the latest and greatest the airline has to offer.
Key stakeholders from Uganda’s aviation and tourism sectors were in attendance, including General Edward Katumba Wamala, Uganda’s Minister of Works and Transportation, and the Director General of Uganda Civil Aviation Authority, Fred Bamwesigye, along with Rashid Alardha, Emirates’ Vice President Commercial Operations, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Mohamed Taher.
According to an Emirates statement, “during the static tour, guests could experience the refurbished Boeing 777, including the next-generation cabins, including the airline’s new premium economy cabin. Set up as if in flight, Emirates showcased the experience in each cabin, from the lie flat seats in first and business class, the fine dining options in premium economy, to the full array of amenities available in Economy, such as children’s toys for all ages.”
The aircraft used for the anniversary trip has already been through Emirates’ USD $5 billion retrofit program. This will see 219 A380s and Boeing 777s undergo nose-to-tail upgrades to enhance the onboard experience for passengers. The project is handled entirely in-house by Emirates Engineering, and, to date, 72 aircraft have been completed – 36 A380s and 37 Boeing 777s.
The program is seen as vital in keeping its current aircraft fresh and new as the company continues to wrestle with new aircraft delays from the leading manufacturers due to supply chain bottlenecks.
