Uganda Airlines has received a second wet-leased Boeing 737-800 aircraft into its fleet to boost capacity and improve service reliability.

On Tuesday, the national carrier confirmed the arrival of the jet, which is operated in partnership with Ethiopian Airlines under a wet-lease agreement.

This is the second of two Boeing 737-800 aircraft expected under the arrangement aimed at strengthening regional operations.

The leased jets come with crew, maintenance, and insurance, allowing the airline to quickly increase capacity without the lengthy processes involved in acquiring new aircraft.

The new aircraft will be deployed on high-demand regional routes, including services to Nairobi, Johannesburg, Kinshasa, and Lagos, where passenger numbers have been growing steadily.

Uganda Airlines’ existing fleet previously consisted of two Airbus A330-800neo long-haul aircraft, one Airbus A320-200, and four Bombardier CRJ900 regional jets.

However, the relatively small fleet has faced challenges, especially on long-haul routes.

In early 2026, both A330-800neo aircraft were grounded for unscheduled maintenance, causing cancellations and delays on flights to London, Dubai, and Mumbai.

The government and airline management are pursuing long-term fleet expansion.

In March 2026, authorities confirmed that Shs 422.26 billion had been secured to support the acquisition of up to 10 new aircrafts.

The airline is also in discussions to acquire Boeing 787 Dreamliners, Boeing freighters, and additional narrow-body jets, including Airbus A320neo variants.

The arrival of the second wet-leased Boeing 737-800 provides short-term operational relief as Uganda Airlines works to stabilise its schedule and expand its network.