On June 23, 2016, Uganda’s president Yoweri Museveni said that Uganda airlines could restart flying 16 years after going off radar, sinking under debts.

President Museveni addressing its new Cabinet termed the lack on national airline a “big shame” while asking the minister of transports to initiate talks with potential investors to help Uganda Airlines get back into the skies.

“Ugandan travellers are suffering because of, apparently, not having a national airline. I thought that our brothers in Ethiopia, Kenya, South Africa, having airlines would serve all of us. That, however, is apparently not the case,” added the Head of State.

While some observers are concerned about the project’s economic viability as the company will face harsh competition from Kenya Airways and other East African airlines, Uganda’s president said Uganda airlines after restarting its activities would help the country save the $420 million that Ugandans spend each year in travelling fares.