Emirates Celebrates 25 Years of Flight Operations to Uganda

Emirates is celebrating 25 years of flight operations to Uganda. Since the inaugural flight in 2000, Emirates has transported 2.8 million passengers on 15,900 flights, connecting passengers from Uganda, with its vast global network, via Dubai.

Over the years, Emirates has steadily and strategically scaled its operations to Entebbe, evolving with customer demand. At launch, the service was operated three times a week, and linked with Nairobi, and later with Addis Ababa, before becoming a direct service in 2007.

In 2015, Emirates first operated the Boeing 777-200LR, replacing the Airbus A330-200 and upgrading seat capacity 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 the city.

For the last two years, Emirates and the Uganda Tourism Board have collaborated to stimulate inbound tourism, promoting the country’s stunning natural landscapes, free-roaming wildlife experiences, thrilling adventure sports and rich culture, in key destinations on the airline’s network.

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.

Beyond commercial operations, Emirates has also invested in Ugandan communities. 

In September 2024, Emirates’ ‘Dubai 7s for Good’ CSR programme raised a record 587,485,310 Ugandan Shillings (UGX) dedicated to building community infrastructure and sports amenities at North Road Primary School in Uganda, a community school recognised for its excellence in rugby, football, and netball.

Since the start of the programme, Emirates has improved infrastructure and supplies at the school, by building a rugby pitch complete with permanent 2-000 capacity shaded bleachers, installing solar-powered 16 water stations to supply fresh and clean water, and donating sport equipment to the students.