The Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) has announced plans to investigate recent flight disruptions at Uganda Airlines following a wave of cancellations and delays that have left passengers stranded and sparked widespread public criticism.
UCAA Director General Fred K. Bamwesigye acknowledged growing concern over the situation, saying the matter does not pose an immediate safety risk but warrants regulatory scrutiny.
“We are going to conduct investigations to establish the issues and determine the appropriate way forward in line with aviation oversight standards,” Bamwesigye said.
Uganda Airlines has come under intense public spotlight after several passengers reported missing scheduled flights over the past few days. Affected travellers took to social media to vent frustration after being left at Entebbe International Airport departure counters with limited information or assistance.
In a statement issued on December 13, the national carrier acknowledged disruptions to its scheduled operations, saying it was prioritising the restoration of normal services. However, the announcement did little to calm agitated passengers online.
Passengers cited repeated cancellations and rescheduling, including a midweek flight to Zanzibar that was deferred to the following day, while a return service was delayed until midnight before being postponed again. Other reports indicated that an Airbus A330-800neo was unable to accommodate all booked passengers, further compounding the disruption.
Uganda Airlines’ spokesperson later confirmed that technical challenges affecting parts of the fleet were responsible for the delays and cancellations, adding that management was working to resolve the situation.
Chief Executive Officer Jenifer Bamuturaki apologised to passengers and said the airline is undertaking stabilisation measures to restore reliability, particularly during the busy Christmas travel season.
“We have seven aircraft, including one under a wet lease, but we currently have one Airbus and one CRJ grounded. This means we are facing technical challenges, which have caused a lot of disruption, especially during this Christmas travel season,” Bamuturaki said.
She explained that the airline’s relatively small fleet makes operations highly sensitive to technical setbacks, noting that grounding even one or two aircraft for maintenance or inspections can trigger network-wide schedule changes across multiple routes.
Bamuturaki also dismissed claims circulating on social media suggesting that Uganda Airlines’ long-haul services had been stranded in destinations such as London.
She said international operations remain active, citing the recent arrival of a flight from London as evidence that long-haul services are continuing despite fleet pressure.
Beyond technical issues, Bamuturaki pointed to broader industry constraints, including Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs), which regulate airport operating hours and flight movements.
“This has also been compounded by Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs). In some cases, flights are extended and then affected by airport closures or restricted operating hours resulting from these notices,” she explained.
She noted that such restrictions further limit scheduling flexibility for airlines with small fleets, particularly when disruptions arise unexpectedly.
Acknowledging the heightened passenger frustration during the peak holiday period, Bamuturaki said the airline is working with partner carriers to manage capacity while operational adjustments are implemented.
As investigations by the aviation regulator loom, pressure is mounting on Uganda Airlines to restore schedule stability and improve passenger communication as travel demand peaks toward the festive season.