Uganda Airlines signs with Boeing and acquires B737 MAX, B787

Last updated: 14 June 2026 12:15

3 Min Read

A historic Uganda Airlines Boeing 707-351C approaches for landing, showcasing the airline’s classic livery during the carrier’s early years of international operations © Aldo Bidini

Uganda Airlines (UR) has signed with Boeing to acquire 10 new aircraft, a new strategy for the national carrier to expand its fleet and move away from Airbus. The agreement was signed at a ceremony at Kampala State House and witnessed by President Yoweri Museveni.

A classic Uganda Airlines Boeing 707 parked at an airport during the airline’s early years. The image showcases the carrier’s historic livery and highlights its aviation heritage as Uganda Airlines embarks on a new fleet expansion with Boeing 737 MAX and 787 Dreamliner aircraft. — A Uganda Airlines Boeing 707 stands on the airport apron in the carrier’s distinctive black, yellow and red livery © Clinton Groves

Uganda Airlines and Boeing confirm new partnership

Uganda Airlines CEO, Girma Wake, confirmed that the deal includes:

Eight passenger aircraft: four 737 MAX regional jets and four 787 Dreamliner long-haul wide-bodies.
Two cargo freighters: one Boeing 767 and one Boeing 737.

In an social media post from the U.S. Department of State Bureau of African Affairs congratulated Boeing and Uganda Airlines:

“B787 Dreamliner and B737 Max aircraft. “

The partnership with Boeing is to include technical expertise, training, and capacity building to support the airline’s growth, the Boeing’s Vice President of sales, Ambessie Yitbarek commented. The airline stated the move is also designed Uganda into a major giant for regional aviation and to increase the carrier’s ability to swerve regional, continental and intercontinental markets.

A Uganda Airlines Airbus A330-800neo widebody passenger plane (registration 5X-NIL) flies mid-air with landing gear down against a clear blue sky background. — A Uganda Airlines Airbus A330-841 widebody aircraft (Registration: 5X-NIL) captured mid-air © Colin Cooke

New Boeing Investment to Boost Trade and Tourism

Uganda’s Vision 2040 is a national development blueprint aimed to transform the country into a modern society. This partnership was positioned to align with that plan to help fester growth in trade, tourism, agriculture, and minerals. In December 2025, Uganda’s parliament approved UGX 422.26 billion ($119 million) in funding for the 2025/26 fiscal year for the two B787 passenger aircraft, one Boeing freighter and two mid-range Airbus aircraft (A320-200Ns or A321-200Ns).

The budget is also going to an associated bridge leasing costs, as Uganda pivots away from the use of Airbus. The Uganda Airlines spokesperson stated:

“Things change.”

The airline has spent years choosing a mid-range aircraft to fill the gap between its two 258-seater A330-800Ns and four 76-seater CRJ900LRs, which face capacity and baggage limits on routes in airports such as Johannesburg.

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ByMichelle Owusuaa

Aviation Reporter - A driven media professional and aspiring magazine journalist and self-published author, with a BA in Media, Journalism and Publishing from Oxford Brookes University. Inspired by writers such as Maya Angelou, they balance professional work alongside personal projects, maintaining a strong commitment to creative independence through their podcast and blogs.