Uganda Airlines Grounds Two Long-Haul Jets, Affecting London and Mumbai Flights as Dubai Service Continues National carrier confirms London and Mumbai routes disrupted by maintenance on its Airbus A330-800neo fleet, as Dubai operations remain unaffected amid leadership transition.

Uganda Airlines has announced temporary flight disruptions after grounding two of its long-haul aircraft for unscheduled maintenance, affecting its London and Mumbai routes.

In a statement dated February 20, the airline did not initially specify which aircraft or routes had been impacted. However, Uganda Airlines’ long-haul fleet consists of two Airbus A330-800neo aircraft that operate its intercontinental services.

The airline later clarified through its Corporate Affairs and Public Relations Head, Shakila Rahim Lamar, that the London and Mumbai routes have been affected. The Dubai service, however, remains operational.

“We understand that this may cause concern and inconvenience, and we want to assure all affected passengers that their safety and comfort remain our highest priority,” the airline said.

Uganda Airlines said some flights may be consolidated or delayed while the maintenance work is completed. Affected passengers are being contacted directly and offered rebooking options without additional change fees.

Passengers were advised to regularly check their flight status via the airline’s official communication channels.

The operational setback comes as Uganda Airlines undergoes a management transition directed by President Yoweri Museveni.

In a February 13, 2026 letter to Works and Transport Minister Gen. Katumba Wamala, the President appointed former Ethiopian Airlines CEO Girma Wake as Consultant and Acting Chief Executive Officer until July 2026, pending the recruitment of a substantive CEO.

Museveni cited “current leadership and management weaknesses” at the airline and directed that Wake oversee operational and governance reforms following the departure of CEO Jennifer Bamuturaki.

Wake is widely credited with transforming Ethiopian Airlines into one of Africa’s most competitive and profitable carriers during his tenure.

Financial Pressures

According to the Auditor General’s report for FY2024/25, Uganda National Airlines Company Limited recorded a net loss of UGX 230.816 billion, slightly improved from UGX 231.584 billion the previous year.

Although revenue increased by 19.2 percent, returns from new routes — including London — are yet to fully mature. The audit also flagged rising trade payables, unrecovered lease deposits, fuel procurement irregularities and governance compliance gaps.

The grounding of the long-haul aircraft adds to operational pressure as the airline seeks stability under interim leadership.