Artistic impressions of what the new Uganda Airlines planes will look like. The images surfaced on social media on the heels of Civil Aviation Authority pages.

Kenya Airways and its subsidiary Jambojet are set to face stiffer competition on Africa routes as President Yoweri Museveni announced plans to revive Uganda Airlines the national carrier.

Kenya Airways, known by the short code KQ, and its low cost subsidiary JamboJet, have been enjoying a big presence in Uganda capitalizing on the lack of a national airline.

President Museveni on Wednesday 6^th June 2018 told Parliament the government would revive the airline “to rejuvinate the services sector.”

“The Government will revive the Uganda Airlines. We have already booked slots for the manufacture of medium and long-distance planes,” he said.

This will cut the 15-year dominance that KQ has been enjoying at Entebbe, which might result in revenue loss as Uganda seeks to claw back regional routes and kick-start a global reach.

KQ has dominated the East African routes over the years.

It has, however, been facing increased competition on African routes from national carriers in neighbouring countries.

JamboJet, a low cost subsidiary of KQ, in February launched twice daily flights to Entebbe, eyeing the traffic between Kenya and Uganda. This is in addition to the five return flights operated by KQ between the two capitals.

The battle for the skies has been with Ethiopian Airlines, South African Airlines and RwandAir, the latter offering low-cost flights in the region.

Annually, Ugandans spend Sh43 billion ($430 million) on air travel, President Museveni said, describing it as a “haemorrhage that must stop.”

Uganda is building a second international airport in its west primarily to service its emerging crude oil industry that is expected to boost a range of sectors including air travel.

Its sole international airport Entebbe is also being expanded with a loan from China to handle more passengers and cargo. Kenya’s exports to Uganda are estimated to be worth Ksh61.8 billion with imports valued at Ksh42 billion.

Also realated:

• Uganda seeks $388 millions to restart Uganda airlines
• Uganda holds 3 Kenyan police officers on L. Victoria

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Titus Naikuni CEO Kenya Airways

The Group Managing Director and CEO of Kenya Airways Titus Naikuni says Besigye was left behind due to unavoidable circumstances and they apologise to him for any inconveniences causes.

Here is the statement in full:

“Kenya Airways would like to confirm to its passengers, customers, investors and the public that Ugandan Opposition Leader Dr. Kizza Besigye is now scheduled to depart on KQ414/11th May departing Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for Entebbe International Airport at 1750hrs.

Dr Besigye was earlier denied boarding on KQ 410/11th May at 0800hrs following information from Kenya Airways internal intelligence sources that the aircraft would not be allowed to land at the Entebbe International Airport if he was on board. Dr. Besigye thus could not board the aircraft as Kenya Airways had to first ascertain this information without inconveniencing the other passengers destined for Entebbe.

The airline has now confirmed and issued Dr. Besigye and his wife tickets to depart Nairobi in the evening. The airline takes earliest opportunity to apologize to Dr. Besigye for any inconveniences caused.”

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The minister of information and National Guidance Kabakumba Masiko told parliament that Besigye is free to return to Uganda and he will be in the country and time.

Uganda Information and national Guidance Minister, Kabakumba Masiko

She said that government never directed the Kenya air line to shift Besigye flight as alleged from KQ410 to Air Uganda.

The opposition shadow minister for defence Charles Angiro said that Besigye will return o at 9am and the mp for Tororo county Geofrey Ekanya insisted that government intimidated and threatened Kenya Airways not put rd Besigye on their plane.

The speaker Edward Kiwanuka Sekandi said that there should be investigations over the controversial return of the opposition leader.

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