By Jamillah Kemigisa
Entebbe International Airport has recorded a sharp surge in passenger and cargo traffic in the first half of 2025, highlighting a strong post-pandemic recovery and reaffirming Uganda’s growing stature as a regional aviation hub.
Between January and June 2025, the airport handled 1,133,366 international passengers, including 550,439 arrivals and 582,927 departures, according to new data from the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA). This marks a 6% increase from the 1,069,224 passengers recorded in the same period in 2024. Arrivals grew by 4.3%, while departures rose by 7.6% year-on-year.
Cargo traffic also maintained a positive trajectory, with 33,622 metric tonnes of combined imports and exports moved through the airport in H1 2025—up from 32,794 tonnes in the same period of 2024. This translates to a 2.5% increase in total cargo volume.
Breakdown figures show exports increased by 2.1%, from 22,380 tonnes in 2024 to 22,844 tonnes in 2025. Imports rose by 3.5%, from 10,414 tonnes to 10,778 tonnes. Uganda’s leading air-export commodities during this period included fish, flowers, vegetables, and other fresh produce, pointing to strong performance in the agribusiness and fisheries sectors.
Aircraft movements also rose, with 15,922 take-offs and landings registered at Entebbe in the first six months of 2025—up from 15,223 in H1 2024, reflecting a 4.6% increase in flight activity.
In contrast, overflights—flights that transit through Uganda’s airspace without landing—declined by 3.6%, falling from 12,359 in the first half of 2024 to 11,917 in 2025. This decline is attributed to the partial reopening of Sudanese airspace, which had previously been closed due to civil conflict. The resumption of International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)-designated routes in the region has led several carriers, especially those operating between the Middle East, Latin America, and Southern Africa, to reroute away from Ugandan skies.
The uptick in international air traffic is seen as a positive signal for Uganda’s tourism, trade, and investment outlook. Aviation experts credit the growth to expanded airline connectivity, ongoing airport infrastructure improvements, and rising global travel confidence.
UCAA has reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing passenger experience, airspace safety, and cargo handling efficiency in line with Uganda’s broader national development agenda.
As Uganda’s principal international gateway, Entebbe Airport currently handles over 90% of the country’s international air traffic. Its steady recovery from the COVID-19 downturn is being driven by increased tourism, expanding trade, and stronger regional connectivity.
Recent infrastructure upgrades—including cargo center expansion, terminal modernization, and runway rehabilitation—have bolstered Entebbe’s operational capacity and efficiency.
Moreover, Uganda’s economy continues to support this aviation growth, with the export of high-value perishables such as fresh fish, flowers, and vegetables playing a key role in sustaining demand for air freight to Europe and the Middle East.
While geopolitical developments continue to shape regional air traffic dynamics, particularly with the fluctuating status of Sudanese airspace, Uganda’s aviation sector remains a critical enabler of economic growth and integration. The government has prioritized air transport infrastructure as a key component of its Vision 2040 development blueprint.
