My love letter to Uganda Airlines

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OPINION

By Crispin Kaheru

I begin with a disclaimer: This is not your experience. It is mine. Flying with Uganda Airlines on the Entebbe–Gatwick route recently was quite simply a pleasant surprise. A story worth telling and retelling.

A few weeks ago, I boarded Uganda Airlines from Entebbe to London Gatwick. The flight was scheduled for 03:40. Now, you know how we always joke about “African time”?

Well, this airline clearly didn’t get that memo. Because right at 03:40 on the dot, the aircraft pushed back from the gate. Precision. Discipline. Zero fuss. Even better?

We landed at Gatwick about 40 minutes ahead of schedule. That gave me ample time to glide through immigration, grab my luggage off the carousel, and meet my people without the usual “sorry for the wait” apology. That early arrival alone earned Uganda Airlines major points.

Again, here’s the disclaimer: this is my personal experience. But it was good enough to make me want to write about it. So here we are.

A couple of days ago, on the return flight from London, things only got better. As I stepped off the passenger boarding bridge and onto the aircraft, I was greeted by Jean-Marie Ishimwe, one of the cabin crew. He was pleasant, upbeat, and warm. “Welcome aboard,” he said, flashing an authentic smile as he clicked his tally counter. Then came a touch that made it even more personal, “Webale nyo, ssebo.”

That Luganda “thank you” in a London skybridge was priceless. I felt at home already.

I found my seat, and before I could adjust my seatbelt, Vanessa Komuhangi, sharp, smiley, and impeccably dressed, approached with a warm, “Would you like a welcome drink?” Many go straight for the champagne. I took the humbler route: fresh orange juice. “It’s fresh,” she added.

I didn’t bother checking if it was made in Uganda. Her confidence sold it. Within seconds, she was back with my juice and the in-flight menu. Vanessa was consistent, respectful, articulate, and composed. She wasn’t performing hospitality; she was living it. Her presence made the cabin feel calm, cared for, and quietly elegant. And it wasn’t just her. The entire crew carried themselves with a rare balance of grace and professionalism. They weren’t just doing a job. They were owning it.


Then there was Senior Purser Kasemiire Ronnie Abwooli, the commander of the cabin, and rightly so. She ran the operation with surgical precision. From briefing her crew to overseeing service, she made sure we passengers felt like VIPs. After noticing her name tag, I spotted her pet name, “Abwooli.” I smiled and said, “My empaako is Abooki.” That was it. Her face lit up more. The smile went from professional to personal. She beamed. It wasn’t the rehearsed smile you see on some airlines, the kind that flickers off as soon as they walk past your seat. Hers had the African depth. It was passion. You could feel it.

Cabin Crew Member Aloysius Ssempija took his role seriously, in all the right ways. His safety demonstration was as crystal clear as the waters of Lake Bunyonyi. He patrolled the aisle with the sharp eyes of an African hawk eagle, but carried himself with the composure of a seasoned diplomat. You felt seen, not just watched.

Every now and then, he’d glide past with the grace of a royal at a Buganda coronation and judging from the name Ssempija, I wouldn’t be surprised if he is from the Nte (cow) clan. He’d gently ask, “Would you like a drink? A snack?” Never pushy. Just perfectly timed. Always calm. Always polished. Always just where you needed him without ever feeling hovered over.

In the flight deck, mastery was at work. Captain Ehima Azikie and First Officer Vanita Kayiwa deserve a standing ovation. From takeoff at Gatwick to touchdown in Entebbe, it was aviation perfection. The takeoff was smooth and sure-footed. The climb-out was as steady as Uganda’s sunrise. The cruising altitude was stable, like Mount Rwenzori. The descent was well controlled with surgical finesse. The landing was so soft that I had to check twice if we’d actually touched down.

At some point during the flight, I saw Captain Azikie walking down the aisle. Not because anything was wrong, but because he cared enough to check. A quiet gesture that spoke volumes. Volumes of hospitality in action. I assume First Officer Kayiwa had the controls at that point, and if so, she held them with skill and grace. This was no ordinary flight. It was a showcase of Ugandan professionalism in the air.

Can I also just say, I kind of like Gatwick. It doesn’t scream for attention (like Heathrow). It is smaller, less chaotic, and way faster to get through. No mile-long queues. Security is a breeze. The lounges are pretty decent, too. So, if you’re after speed, simplicity, and sanity, Gatwick is your girl. And let’s give credit where it is due, our refurbished Entebbe International Airport is stepping up, too.

So, ladies and gentlemen, whether you’re travelling solo, with family, for business, for love, or for ‘just for just’, Uganda Airlines is worth your time and your trust. Especially on the Entebbe–London route. I’ll keep flying with them and should my experience ever change, I’ll be the first to say so. But until then? We can as well say: Uganda Airlines, you’ve got a fan in me.

Mwebale nyo!

The writer is a Member of the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC)