Uganda Airlines is preparing for a significant fleet upgrade, with plans to purchase 10 new aircraft from both Airbus and Boeing. The Ministry of Works and Transport has submitted a request to Parliament for an initial supplementary allocation of UGX 422.264 billion to begin the procurement process.
The request forms part of a broader UGX 1.696 trillion supplementary schedule presented by the ministry for the 2025/2026 financial year.
While appearing before Parliament’s Budget Committee on December 1, 2025, Minister of Works and Transport Gen. Katumba Wamala outlined the composition of the proposed additions:
- Four mid-range (narrow-body) Airbus aircraft
- Four wide-body Boeing aircraft
- Two Boeing converted freighters for cargo operations
Gen. Katumba said the supplementary funds would cover the initial pre-delivery obligations, including UGX 247.019 billion due at the signing of the purchase agreements and UGX 275.245 billion expected in January 2026 for further payments to Airbus and Boeing.
Why the Urgency?
The Minister told MPs that global demand for new planes has surged, and manufacturers now require upfront deposits to secure production slots. He warned that postponing the payment would push Uganda Airlines to the back of an already crowded international queue.
“We are buying just ten, but when airlines like Qatar are making orders for more than 400 aircraft, you risk losing your slot entirely if you delay,” Gen. Katumba said.
He explained that the advance payment is meant to reserve Uganda’s place on the production line.
Questions Raised by MPs
The supplementary request triggered debate from members of the committee who questioned both the timing and the presentation of the proposal.
Kira Municipality MP Ibrahim Ssemujju challenged the classification of the aircraft purchase as an “emergency,” saying such a major investment should have been included in the main 2025/26 national budget.
He argued that presenting the request at this stage made Parliament appear unprepared and undermined budget discipline.
Otuke County MP Paul Omara raised concerns about long-term sustainability, recalling earlier challenges with the Bombardier aircraft previously acquired by Uganda Airlines. He questioned whether spare parts and after-sales support had been properly assessed this time.
“You remember the Bombardier we bought, and later discovered that spare parts were no longer in production,” Omara said. He asked the ministry to provide clear assurances that the new Airbus and Boeing purchases would be backed by strong future support.
The supplementary funding proposal will now move to Parliament for a final vote. If approved, Uganda Airlines will proceed with the initial payments, securing production slots for all ten aircraft and beginning one of the largest fleet expansion efforts in the airline’s history.