By Samuel Ssenono
Traffic through Entebbe International Airport eased on the international segment in the first quarter of 2026, with passenger throughput and cargo volumes declining year on year, while transit traffic and domestic operations recorded strong gains.
Data from the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority shows international arrivals fell to 239,850 in the January to March period, down 7.9 percent from 260,434 recorded in Q1 2025. International departures also declined by 8.5 percent to 265,941.
Transit passenger volumes, however, rose by 25.2 percent to 28,035, reflecting increased transfer traffic through Entebbe. The domestic segment posted the strongest growth, with arrivals up 43.4 percent to 4,108 and departures rising 62.5 percent to 3,520.
Air cargo throughput contracted during the quarter. Export volumes dropped by 28.9 percent to 7,490 metric tonnes, while imports declined by 9 percent to 4,490 metric tonnes, pointing to reduced freight demand on international sectors.
On the airside, aircraft movements increased by 7.7 percent to 8,420, signalling sustained operational activity despite softer passenger loads on international routes. Overflights rose marginally by 2.6 percent to 6,423.
The Civil Aviation Authority attributes the decline in international passenger and cargo traffic partly to the Middle East situation, which disrupted air transport flows and network schedules, with the impact most visible in March.
March figures show international arrivals edged up 2.7 percent to 85,020, but departures fell by 8.6 percent. Transit traffic surged by 83.3 percent to 14,492, while domestic movements rose sharply, with departures more than doubling.
Cargo throughput in March dropped significantly, with exports down 45.2 percent and imports falling 30.3 percent.
Aircraft movements rose by 16.3 percent to 3,176 in March, while overflights increased by 5.6 percent.
