Uganda Airlines has asked its passengers to bear with them as the national carrier faces operational problems that may lead to flight delays in the coming days. The appeal comes after a recent incident where travelers were left stranded in Dar es Salaam for more than 24 hours when the airline failed to provide a plane for their scheduled flight.

The situation gained attention when it was revealed that President Yoweri Museveni had used one of Uganda Airlines’ Airbus A330-800neo planes for his two-day official visit to South Sudan around the same time. Many passengers questioned whether the President’s travel had affected flight availability, but the airline denied this connection. In a statement, Uganda Airlines explained that the delays were due to “unforeseen operational reasons” and not because of the presidential trip.

“We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and are making every effort to return to our normal schedules as soon as possible,” the airline said. It also promised to keep passengers updated on any changes and asked affected travelers to contact its Global Call Centre for the latest information.

However, the delays have raised concerns about the airline’s ability to manage its fleet, especially during busy periods. Some passengers who were stuck in Dar es Salaam complained about poor communication from the airline, leaving them unsure about when they would be able to fly home.

Despite these challenges, Uganda Airlines says it remains committed to improving its services and expanding its operations across Africa. The airline currently has six planes—four Bombardier CRJ900ER jets and two Airbus A330-800neo aircraft. It also leases an Airbus A320-200 from South Africa’s Global Airways to help with its flights.

Looking ahead, Uganda Airlines plans to grow its fleet by adding more planes, including Airbus A320neo and Boeing 787-9 models. This expansion is part of its strategy to strengthen its position as a leading carrier in the region.

For now, passengers are being advised to check their flight status regularly and contact the airline if they face any disruptions. While Uganda Airlines works to fix its current issues, travelers will need to remain patient as the company tries to stabilize its operations.

The recent delays highlight the challenges of running a national airline, especially one that serves both commercial passengers and government officials. As Uganda Airlines continues to grow, it will need to find a balance between meeting public demand and fulfilling state duties—all while maintaining reliable service for its customers.

For passengers, the hope is that these disruptions will be temporary and that the airline will soon return to its normal schedule. Until then, the message from Uganda Airlines is clear: they are aware of the problems, they are sorry for the inconvenience, and they are working hard to make things right.

As the airline moves forward with its expansion plans, the focus will be on ensuring that such delays do not become a regular occurrence. The success of Uganda Airlines depends not just on having more planes, but also on managing them effectively so that all passengers—whether ordinary citizens or high-ranking officials—can travel smoothly and without unnecessary interruptions.

For now, flyers with upcoming trips are encouraged to stay informed and prepare for possible changes as the airline navigates through this challenging period. The coming weeks will be a test of Uganda Airlines’ ability to recover and prove that it can handle the demands of being a reliable national carrier.