The latest traffic figures from Entebbe International Airport (EIA) for September 2025 paint a vivid picture of a Ugandan economy demonstrating resilience and dynamic growth, particularly in its vital trade and tourism sectors.
While passenger numbers saw a slight seasonal dip from August’s record high, overall travel demand remains remarkably robust. Crucially, the air cargo sector experienced a significant jump, underscoring Uganda’s expanding role in regional and global trade.
Tourism and Business Sustaining Strong Passenger Volumes
The latest report from the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) indicates that in September 2025, EIA recorded a total of 226,301 international passengers, with 105,043 arrivals and 121,258 departures. This translates to a bustling average of 7,543 arriving and departing passengers per day.
Although this marks a slight decrease from the previous month’s record 243,089 passengers, the consistent high traffic volume signals sustained momentum across key economic drivers as follows:
Business Activity
The continuous flow of arrivals and departures is highly indicative of strong business travel, foreign investment, and bilateral trade activities. These travellers are the investors, diplomats, and entrepreneurs facilitating Uganda’s economic diversification.
Tourism and Conferences
The figures affirm that Uganda remains a preferred destination for both leisure tourism and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) activities. The strong, consistent demand for travel, even after the peak holiday season, shows that the tourism sector’s recovery and growth are well-established.
The stability of these figures provides confidence to airlines, hospitality providers, and tour operators, encouraging further investment in Uganda’s tourism infrastructure.
Surging Cargo Figures Boost Exports
Perhaps the most compelling indicator of a strengthening economy is the remarkable performance of the cargo sector.
The UCAA report indicates that EIA handled a total of 5,882 metric tonnes of cargo in September 2025, a notable increase from the 5,257 metric tonnes recorded in August. This growth was decisively driven by the export market through:
Exports Dominating: Exports totalled 3,707 metric tonnes, significantly outpacing the 2,175 metric tonnes of imports.
Agro-Industrialisation Success: This export surplus strongly suggests the successful growth of Uganda’s key agro-industrial sectors, including fresh produce, horticulture (flowers), and processed goods. This is because air cargo is the preferred transport mode for high-value, perishable goods, maximising their competitiveness in international markets.
The increasing export volume directly translates into foreign exchange earnings for the country, supporting local farmers and businesses, and reducing the national trade deficit. It confirms that the logistical capacity at Entebbe International Airport is effectively facilitating Uganda’s push for value-added exports.
Entebbe as Uganda’s Gateway to Prosperity
The September 2025 traffic update confirms Entebbe International Airport’s critical role as Uganda’s primary economic gateway. The combination of sustained passenger activity (fueling tourism and investment) and a notable surge in export cargo (boosting trade and forex) solidifies the nation’s growth trajectory.
As Uganda continues to invest in infrastructure and enhance its reputation as a safe, vibrant destination for business and leisure, these figures serve as a powerful validation of the nation’s economic momentum.