By Afolabi Osho, West African Editor: Jambo Africa Online.
The crane of Uganda took to the skies, bridging nations and dreams as it soared for four hours from Entebbe to Lagos. On October 19, 2023, at precisely 11 am, the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Ikeja, Lagos, bore witness to an extraordinary moment. The arrival of Uganda’s national airline marked the dawn of new possibilities for both Uganda and Nigeria.
For the people of Uganda and Nigeria, this was a day they had long awaited. The arrival of Uganda Airlines in Lagos signifies more than just the inauguration of a flight route; it symbolizes the commencement of connecting travelers to endless possibilities across Africa and the world. These two nations, former British colonies, have a unique destination for culture, tourism, and investment. They have served as cultural melting pots for diverse backgrounds across Africa.
The impact of this historic flight is not just about saving time, but also breaking the boundaries of connectivity. The once daunting 9-hour flight between Lagos and Entebbe has been slashed to a mere 4 hours, opening up opportunities for business, leisure, and exploration in both nations.
Ambassador Nelson Ocheger, Uganda’s Ambassador to Nigeria and All ECOWAS/Equatorial Guinea, shared his excitement on his Twitter handle, stating, “It’s comparable to the birth of a child for a couple who was childless for a decade. @Uganda Airline connects directly with Nigeria, let’s trade with Nigeria and visit each other’s countries and, yes, share investments.”
His counterpart in Uganda, H.E. Ismael Ayobami Alatis, the Nigerian High Commissioner to Uganda, also took to Twitter to encourage the people of Uganda, saying, “I encourage my brothers and sisters from Uganda to visit Nigeria and take advantage of the incredible market potential that is here.”
The dignitaries who graced the arrival of the crane included Uganda Civil Aviation Authority’s Deputy Director-General, Olive Birungi, the CEO of Uganda Airlines, Jenifer Bamuturaki, and Amb. Tayebwa Katureebe, Head of Regional Economic Cooperation at the Uganda Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
With the crane’s resumption of flights, connectivity has become the name of the game. The three-days-a-week flight schedule from Entebbe to Lagos now connects travelers to an array of destinations, including Mombasa, Nairobi, Dar es Salaam, Dubai, Bujumbura, Juba, Mumbai, Johannesburg, Mogadishu, Zanzibar, Kinshasa, and Kilimanjaro.
This development doesn’t merely reduce flight hours; it also brings two nations closer together and strengthens economic ties. It fosters easier travel for business, leisure, and holidays, with options for seamless onward connections to Eastern and Southern Africa, Dubai in the Middle East, and Mumbai in India.
As Uganda’s crane takes flight to Lagos, it carries with it the hopes of the people, the dreams of stronger bonds between nations, and the promise of a brighter future. In an era marked by globalization and connectivity, this historic moment is a testament to the power of diplomacy, cooperation, and the enduring spirit of the people of Uganda and Nigeria.