Uganda Expands Airline Routes to Include Abuja, Aims for Enhanced Business Ties with Nigeria.
The government of Uganda is poised to bolster its business engagements with Nigeria, signaling its intention to soon incorporate Abuja into the roster of destinations serviced by Uganda Airlines.
This development was disclosed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs through its official channels on Thursday.
According to the ministry, the initiative stemmed from a meeting between Uganda’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ambassador Nelson Ocheger, and Nigeria’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, focusing on advancing trade and commerce between the two nations.
During the discussion, both parties emphasized the importance of finalizing bilateral agreements across various sectors, including energy, oil and gas, defense, security cooperation, and education.
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Ambassador Ocheger highlighted the mutual commitment to bolstering economic, commercial, and political cooperation between Uganda and Nigeria, underscoring the need for increased interactions in business, trade, investment, tourism, and knowledge sharing.
He reiterated Uganda’s dedication to fostering a conducive environment for private sector engagement, exemplified by Uganda Airlines’ recent launch of direct flights between Entebbe and Lagos, with plans to extend services to Abuja.
Minister Tuggar acknowledged the enduring historical ties between Nigeria and Uganda, affirming the commitment to fortifying these bonds to facilitate robust economic and political collaboration.
Uganda Airlines, as the national carrier, has been actively expanding its reach. In 2023, it inaugurated direct flights from Entebbe International Airport to Lagos’s Murtala Muhammed International Airport, further solidifying the longstanding relationship between the two nations, which dates back to the 1960s on a people-to-people basis.
By incorporating Abuja into its routes, Uganda aims to deepen its economic ties with Nigeria, leveraging air connectivity to enhance bilateral trade and foster mutual prosperity.
