This archive report was first published on 6 October 2021.
Uganda's military intervention in Somalia, which began in 2007, has come with several benefits for both countries. However, it has also created a complex situation for Uganda Airlines, which has been trying to expand its services to Hargeisa in Somaliland.
According to multiple sources, Uganda Airlines has been facing difficulties in securing landing rights in Hargeisa, despite strong demand for a connectivity between Entebbe and Hargeisa. The airline had planned to launch services to Hargeisa as part of its regional network, which would feed medium and long-haul flights.
Uganda and Somalia have a liberal Bilateral Air Services Agreement, which allows each country to designate multiple airlines to operate air services with no limit on capacity or frequency. However, Somaliland is not recognized by Mogadishu, and this has created a challenge for Uganda Airlines.
Observers believe that Uganda's reticence in pursuing the Hargeisa route is due to its loyalty to the government in Mogadishu. This loyalty has been a mixed blessing for Uganda Airlines, as it has limited the airline's ability to expand its services to Somaliland.
Other international airlines, such as African Express Airways, Air Arabia, Ethiopian, and FlyDubai, already operate services to Hargeisa, providing 37 flights a week to five countries. Uganda Airlines is set to launch its first intercontinental flight to Dubai on October 4, and it will need a strong regional network to feed these international flights.
