travel 17 September 2026 Nile Post
Uganda Eyes Direct Paris Flights Amid Surge in French Tourism
Uganda is pushing for direct flights to Paris as the number of French tourists visiting the country more than doubled in the past year. European travel buyers cited the lack of direct flights as a significant barrier, increasing costs and travel time. Source: https://nilepost.co.ug/news/371511/uganda-seeks-direct-paris-flight-as-french-tourism-market-more-than-doubles
The number of French visitors to Uganda experienced a remarkable surge last year, more than doubling from previous figures and placing France among Uganda’s top ten source markets for tourism. According to the Embassy of Uganda in France, French tourists are valuable, spending an average of over $2,025 and staying between eight to fifteen nights.
Despite this growth, a significant hurdle remains: the absence of direct flights between Paris and Entebbe. At a recent major travel fair in Paris, over 90% of European buyers highlighted this issue, stating it makes Uganda a more expensive and time-consuming destination to market and sell. Current travel options involve lengthy layovers, with journeys potentially stretching from 11 to over 45 hours.
The Ugandan government is actively pursuing a solution, with plans underway for Uganda Airlines to potentially launch a direct route to Paris by June 2027. This move is seen as crucial for capitalizing on the growing French interest and easing travel for potential visitors. The embassy argues that such a route would be viable, especially considering France’s substantial investment in Uganda and Paris’s role as a transit hub for travelers from Spain and Portugal.
Furthermore, direct flights are anticipated to boost arrivals in anticipation of Uganda co-hosting the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations. The Minister of State for Tourism, Susan Nakawuki, emphasized that building on existing strong investment ties with France, tourism is a natural progression. The recent participation of eleven Ugandan tour companies at the Paris travel fair, securing contracts for future seasons, underscores the market’s potential.
This initiative comes as Uganda’s tourism sector shows overall positive trends, with a significant increase in arrivals and receipts in the past year. The recent success in containing an Ebola outbreak has also removed a significant barrier to promotion, allowing operators to confidently sell Uganda as a destination once more.