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Fact Check: Is Uganda Airlines 2025 London Route Its First?
Debunk Media Initiative
Debunk Media Initiative

Fact Check: Is Uganda Airlines 2025 London Route Its First?

by
May 19, 2025
Uganda airlines launches direct flight to London

On May 18th 2025, Uganda Airlines made headlines with the launch of its highly anticipated direct flight route from Entebbe to London Heathrow. The excitement surrounding the launch was evident from Ugandans of all walks of life, excited government officials, and international media coverage. For many Ugandans, it marked a proud moment in national aviation history.

However, amid the celebrations, a familiar claim began circulating across social media, in press releases, and even in some news reports: that this was the first time in history Uganda Airlines was flying to London. But is that true?

This fact-check investigates the historical accuracy of that claim by examining aviation archives, photographic records.

The Claim

Context

The current Uganda Airlines was revived in 2019 after the collapse of the original national carrier in 2001. The relaunch aimed to restore Uganda’s aviation pride and improve connectivity to major global hubs.

Two Bombardier CRJ900 aircraft are already based at Entebbe airport outside Kampala, waiting for flights to beginImage: Getty Images/AFP/N. Bamulanzeki
Two Bombardier CRJ900 aircraft are already based at Entebbe airport outside Kampala, waiting for flights to beginImage: Getty Images/AFP/N. Bamulanzeki

The 2025 route to London Heathrow is indeed a milestone, especially as the UK is one of Uganda’s top travel, trade, and diaspora destinations. But this isn’t the first time an airline flying under the Uganda Airlines name has touched down in the UK.

The History

Uganda Airlines was first established in 1976, following the collapse of the East African Airways Corporation, a joint venture between Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania. The airline began operations in 1977.

In its early years, the original Uganda Airlines acquired a Boeing 707-320C—a long-haul aircraft that allowed the company to operate intercontinental routes. One of the key destinations during that time was London.

A 1976 image of a Uganda Airlines Boeing 707 (registration 5X-UAL) is publicly available.

This means that Uganda Airlines flew to London as early as the late 1970s, despite having stopovers and possibly with lower frequency than today’s modern operations.

History Of The Uganda Airlines

Verdict

False.
The 2025 Uganda Airlines route to London is not the airline’s first-ever connection to the UK. The original Uganda Airlines operated flights to London in the late 1970s using Boeing 707 aircraft.

While the 2025 route is a resumption after more than two decades of absence, and the first under the revived Uganda Airlines, it is not historically unprecedented.

Why This Matters

Understanding and preserving Uganda’s aviation history is more than a matter of national pride, it helps correct the public record and ensures that progress is accurately measured. As Uganda Airlines reclaims its position on global routes, it’s essential to celebrate today’s achievements without erasing yesterday’s milestones.

Edward Tumwine is a Digital Communications Consultant, Lecturer, and Media Viability Expert with over nine years of experience in media relations, content strategy, and digital communications. He has advised organizations and journalists on media sustainability, new media skills, and leveraging digital tools for impact. Edward currently serves as the Communications Officer at Debunk Media Initiative, where he leads strategic communications to combat misinformation. He also lectures in Multimedia Production at Uganda Christian University’s School of Journalism and Communication.

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