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Africa’s Uganda Airlines is restarting direct flights to Kigali, the capital of Rwanda. The two countries are excited at the possibility of boosting connectivity and trade, especially as Uganda Airlines was reborn in 2023.

According to the Ugandan news website NewVision, the flights are intended to be a means of patching up relations between the neighboring countries of Rwanda and Uganda.

After difficult times starting in 2018 until 2022, when the border was reopened – Uganda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs hailed the progress towards healing.

“We are brothers and sisters. Indeed, there have been some difficulties but with the consensus reached by our leaders, progress has been made in normalizing relations. I am confident that through joint efforts, our excellent relations will continue to flourish in the years ahead.”

Rwanda’s Foreign Affairs Minister Vincent Biruta also voiced similar sentiments. It’s worth noting that RwandAir already offers flights between the two nations.

The East Africa Tourism Portal also tweeted thus:
“Exciting news for East Africa travel! Uganda Airlines is set to launch direct flights to Rwanda, easing movement & trade between the two countries. This development, announced during the 11th Rwanda-Uganda JPC, will boost connectivity.”

Earlier this week, according to the Ugandan independent daily newspaper the Daily Monitor, the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Authority (PPDA) Tribunal canceled a fuel and in-flight services supply contract. The PPDA found that Uganda Airlines needed to tender the contract fairly. Being the previous contract has expired, Uganda Airlines intends to promptly reopen the contract for bids.

.This is part of the ongoing corruption investigation into operations at Entebbe. Bribery, extortion, and document tampering – including with passports are all being exposed. Since 2020, no less than 26 Entebbe Airport workers have been relieved of duties as a result.

Uganda Airlines has ambitionsNonetheless, Uganda Airlines has ambitious plans for its future. For instance, Airbus and Boeing are both pitching their fleets ahead of a future aircraft order. Uganda Airlines already ordered two Airbus A330-800 aircraft.

There is also the distinct possibility that Embraer’s E190-E2 and E195-E2 aircraft may also be ordered as they offer double the capacity of Uganda Airlines’ current CRJ900s and efficient performance. Nonetheless, for an airline with only six planes – four CRJ900 and two Airbus A330neo jets – this is a significant event.

Uganda Airlines is also making plans to connect directly to London, United Kingdom. However, for the connection to happen, Entebbe Airport must meet international standards of facility and operations.

Overall, Uganda Airlines is increasingly making intra-Africa connections. One of them is to Johannesburg, South Africa to meet growing demand. The flights are now five times a week. Another connection is to Nigeria, starting last November as the first flight to West Africa.

Together with British Island Records founder Clive Blackwell and Estonian composer Arvo Part, Beninese singer Angelique Kidjo was awarded the 2023 Polar Music Prize, one of Europe’s top musical honors, on Tuesday.

The five-time Grammy winner sings in her native Fon and Yoruba languages in addition to French and English, and is hailed as “one of the best singer-songwriters in international music” by the Polar Music Prize organizers in Sweden.

She is best known for her hits “Agolo” and “We We,” which Time magazine called “Africa’s premier diva.”

Blackwell established the Jamaican record company Island Records, which went on to sign legends like Bob Marley, Cat Stevens, Roxy Music, and U2.

The committee singled out Estonian composer Arvo Part, who they referred to as “the world’s most played living composer,” for developing the “unique composing technique, tintinnabuli,” in the 1970s.

Former ABBA manager Stig Anderson established the Polar Music Prize in 1989, which last year recognized US songwriter Diane Warren and Iggy Pop.

The winners will be presented with their 600,000 kroner ($58,000) award on May 23 in Stockholm.