Uganda Airlines dismisses cargo ‘corruption’ claims on London route

Uganda Airlines has denied claims that a few ‘influential’ individuals have booked out all cargo space on its London route, leaving ordinary exporters sidelined.

The national carrier’s inaugural flight to London departed Entebbe for Gatwick International Airport on Sunday, carrying over 22 tonnes of cargo, a significant milestone as the airline seeks to tap into the high-value cargo market.

However, viral social media posts alleged that five powerful exporters have already monopolized the route’s cargo capacity until July, forcing smaller players to rely on brokers who are charging higher rates.

One post quoted an exporter of habanero chilli peppers, who said he would continue using Ethiopian Airlines due to what he described as corruption at home. In a statement, Shakila Rahim Lamar, Uganda Airlines’ head of corporate affairs and public relations, dismissed the allegations, saying the airline operates on a first-come, first-served basis for cargo bookings.

“Uganda Airlines does not have any block space agreements with exporters, as is being alleged,” Lamar said.

“We rejected such agreements precisely because our space is limited and we want to serve the entire market fairly.”

Block space agreements (BSAs) are common in the aviation industry, allowing large cargo agents to reserve space in advance. While Uganda Airlines uses global cargo agents to facilitate sales and coordination, Lamar clarified that no exporter has been given exclusive access.

Another airline official, who requested anonymity, added that the exporters simply booked early and paid upfront, just like passengers do.

“If booking early is now equated to corruption, then even the 3,000-plus passengers who’ve already reserved tickets through January next year could be accused,” the source said.

The official attributed the current rush to promotional pricing on both cargo and passenger services and acknowledged the limited cargo room on passenger aircraft.

“You take what’s available. Passenger bags also occupy space. That’s why we’re planning to bring in dedicated cargo planes,” the official said.

Uganda Airlines is expected to add eight aircraft to its fleet starting next financial year, including two freighters, to meet growing demand across regional and international routes.

The airline sees cargo as a crucial revenue stream on the London route, complementing passenger numbers and boosting Uganda’s export potential.