Nigeria-Uganda tourism kicks off with Direct Flight Connection

Nigerian-Uganda have solidified their air transport partnership in a move to improve connectivity from Entebbe International Airport in East Africa to Lagos in West Africa.

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The A330-800 aircraft will help bridge the gap between travelers in the two regions, Uganda Airlines’ inaugural flight to Lagos is set to transform accessibility and further strengthen the continent’s commitment to the Single Africa Air Transport Market.

Some Nigerian pilots helmed the first voyage from Entebbe to Lagos, signifying the commencement of this promising venture.

The Nigerian government has also expanded access to Uganda Airlines by designating Abuja and Kano as entry points, fostering trade and investment in both nations.

Flights, scheduled for Mondays, Thursdays, and Sundays, will take under five hours, with economy class tickets priced at $510 and business class at $1800.

The launch of this direct flight service carries the potential to bridge the geographical and economic gap between travelers in West and East Africa.

This development will help the high hopes and an eye towards economic growth, Nigeria and Uganda embark on this new journey, poised to unlock myriad opportunities for trade, tourism, and collaboration between the two nations.
The development is well-received by the Nigerian travelers who are clamoring for cheaper airfares, shorter flight time to East Africa and ease connectivity for Europe, Middle East and Asia from West and East Africa.

The chief executive officer, Uganda Airlines,, Jenifer.

Bamuturaki, noted that the journey to more connected Africa has begun with about a three and half hours flight from Entebbe to Lagos.

According to her, with shorter flight time, Nigerian passengers connecting to Mumbai or Dubai do not have to go 10 hours across directions, as Entebbe offers it in four and a half hours.
Speaking in Lagos, after the inaugural flight Samora Semakula, Quality Assurance Manager, Uganda Tourism Board (UTB), noted that the importance of a national air carrier cannot be over-emphasized in destination marketing as it ensures seamless connectivity and inflow of tourists, business travellers and corporate organisations to the country

to explore its tourism offerings.

Semakula, who spoke to the Nigerian travel media at Marriott Hotel Ikeja, Lagos, noted that Nigeria is one of the five source markets for Uganda Tourism Board and the connecting flight between the two countries would ensure

smoother and more robust tourism, cultural and business exchanges between the two
countries.
according to the UTB executive.

“Uganda the Pearl of Africa because of its diverse natural endowment and beauty. Some of Africa’s most sought-after species live in Uganda, like the Big Five, we have the highest number of the world’s gorillas and the chimpanzees are there too.

“Uganda is also the source of River Nile, the longest river in the world, and home to Lake Victoria, the largest freshwater lake in Africa.

It has a diverse culture across 56 tribes, and there is harmony among the people, while the country is peaceful, politically and economically stable. You need to visit Uganda,” he explained.
The skies are now open for a new chapter in East-West African air connectivity, as these direct flights take off to new heights.