2023 Passenger Numbers Soar: Uganda Exceeds Pre-COVID Levels with 1.93 Million Travelers

Entebbe International Airport achieved a groundbreaking milestone in December 2023, welcoming an unprecedented 198,961 international passengers.

The statistics, revealed by Vianney Mpungu Luggya, spokesperson for the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA), include 104,160 arrivals and 94,800 departures. With an average of 6,418 passengers daily, this figure represents the highest single-day record in Uganda’s aviation history.

The remarkable surge is attributed to various factors, including increased business travel, holiday season activities, and a boost in tourism.

The cumulative passenger count for 2023 reached an impressive 1,932,000, surpassing the pre-COVID-19 pandemic total of 1.8 million recorded in 2019.

Luggya anticipates a continuation of high figures into January 2024, fueled by the 19th Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and Group 77 (G77) plus China Summit. This international gathering is expected to draw a substantial number of delegates.

In addition to passenger records, Entebbe International Airport recorded a substantial cargo volume of 59,000 metric tons during the same period. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), African airlines collectively moved 960 thousand tons of freight in 2023, representing an impressive 96.7 percent of the 2019 figures.

Following a safety audit by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), Uganda received a commendable score of 72.17 percent.