By Alele Ronald Ongwech
Entebbe International Airport recorded 178,383 international passengers in March 2025, comprising 83,661 arrivals and 94,722 departures, with a daily average of 5,754 travelers. This figure represents an increase of 6,393 passengers compared to March 2024, when 171,990 passengers passed through the airport. Officials attribute the growth to Uganda’s hosting of international conferences, ongoing tourism campaigns, and expanded airline activity. Notably, Flynas began direct flights between Riyadh and Entebbe in January, while Uganda Airlines has rolled out new regional routes, boosting traffic. Additionally, the Saudi low-budget airline launched cargo service last week, further enhancing operations at Entebbe airport.
However, the upward trend was not consistent. February 2025 saw a drop in passenger numbers, recording 161,095 international travelers, down from 175,630 in February 2024. This pattern of fluctuation suggests that air travel at Entebbe is still highly responsive to seasonal and market dynamics. In contrast, January 2025 bucked the trend, registering 216,740 passengers the second-highest monthly total in the airport’s history.
Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) spokesperson Vianney M. Luggya said such variations are expected in the aviation sector. “It is normal for some months in a year to record higher traffic figures than others, as travel depends on seasons, including winter and summer schedules, among other factors,” Luggya said. “Some months, like November, December, and January, are usually peak seasons for travel. June, July, and August are some of the other busy periods due to various reasons.”
Beyond passenger movement, Entebbe also saw strong cargo activity. In March 2025, the airport handled 5,852 metric tonnes comprising 1,965 tonnes of imports and 3,887 tonnes of exports. The figures underscore a positive trade balance, with exports consistently outpacing imports. This cargo trend not only boosts Uganda’s foreign exchange earnings but also reinforces Entebbe’s role as a gateway for the country’s trade and agricultural exports.
“The airport has adequate capacity to deal with the growing numbers,” Luggya said. “Facilities were recently expanded with the completion of the modified terminal, which is currently in use. A new terminal building connecting to the current facilities is also due for completion later this year, and it will enhance terminal capacity to at least 3.5 million passengers a year.”
Even as Entebbe shows signs of post-pandemic recovery, the wider regional aviation landscape remains competitive. Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport handled more than 1.5 million arrivals in 2024. Addis Ababa’s Bole International Airport is nearing its 25 million annual passenger capacity, and Kigali’s airport expansion is targeting an eventual throughput of 8 million travelers a year. The figures position Entebbe within a rapidly evolving East African aviation sector, where infrastructure upgrades and route expansions are reshaping travel and commerce.