Govt Seeks Approval of UGX422 Billion Supplementary for Phased Purchase of 10 Uganda Airlines Aircraft If Parliament approves the UGX1.696 trillion supplementary budget, Uganda Airlines will take a major leap toward rapid fleet expansion, with a UGX422.264 billion down payment set to secure 10 new aircraft as early as the 2025/26 financial year. The vote will test government’s aviation ambitions against competing demands in a strained national purse.

Government has tabled a UGX1.696 trillion supplementary budget request before Parliament’s Budget Committee, with UGX422.264 billion earmarked as an initial payment for the purchase of 10 aircraft for Uganda Airlines.

The request was presented by Works and Transport Minister Edward Katumba Wamala, who appeared before the committee on Monday, 1 December, as MPs considered Supplementary Expenditure Schedule Two ahead of its adoption by Parliament in the plenary sitting scheduled for Tuesday.

Gen Katumba Wamala told the committee that the supplementary request is intended to cover urgent financing gaps within the transport sector that could not wait for the next budget cycle.

The minister argued that several obligations in roads and transport infrastructure require immediate funding, particularly where government is settling outstanding certificates for completed works, meeting land-acquisition costs, and keeping critical transport services running.

The most prominent item in the request is the proposed capital injection into Uganda Airlines.

The UGX422.264 billion is meant to serve as the first installment toward acquiring 10 aircraft, a move government says will expand the national carrier’s capacity, strengthen its route network, and reduce reliance on short-term leasing arrangements that have previously limited growth.

The added aircraft would also allow Uganda Airlines to increase frequencies on existing routes, open new regional and long-haul destinations, and build passenger and cargo volumes toward long-term sustainability.

Uganda Airlines, relaunched in 2019, operates a relatively small fleet and has been pursuing phased expansion. Earlier government and airline plans envisioned adding aircraft gradually to grow both regional and intercontinental routes while building supporting capacity, such as maintenance infrastructure.

The new request signals an intention to accelerate that timeline by financing a larger batch of aircraft upfront.

The fleet expansion bid comes amid mixed debate about the airline’s performance.

A section of Ugandans has previously argued that Uganda Airlines needs more aircraft to reach “critical mass,” meaning enough routes and frequencies to compete effectively, capture market share, and eventually move toward profitability.

However, others, including some MPs in previous oversight debates, have pointed to recurring losses and questions over fleet costs, warning that growth must be matched with a clear business case and strong financial controls.

The Budget Committee’s review feeds directly into Tuesday’s plenary debate and vote. If Parliament approves Supplementary Schedule Two, the Ministry of Works and Transport will be authorised to access the additional UGX1.696 trillion, unlocking the first UGX422.264 billion payment for the 10-aircraft acquisition alongside other transport-sector commitments.

The outcome will be closely watched as a signal of government priorities in a tight fiscal environment where infrastructure ambitions must compete with other national needs.