Jambojet is returning to Uganda, reopening the Nairobi–Entebbe route on October 1 after a six-year suspension, in a move that adds new capacity to one of East Africa’s key travel corridors and strengthens links between Kenya and Uganda.
The Kenya Airways-owned low-cost carrier will operate daily non-stop flights between Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and Entebbe International Airport, with one-way fares starting from about KSh22,950.
The return marks the revival of a route that holds particular significance for Jambojet. Entebbe was the airline’s first international destination when it launched the route in 2018, before the COVID-19 pandemic forced the suspension of its regional operations.
Jambojet Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Karanja Ndegwa said the return forms part of the airline’s wider regional expansion strategy.
“Our return to Uganda is a strategic step forward in our mission to strengthen regional connectivity,” Ndegwa said. “We see significant opportunities to support business, tourism and trade between Kenya and Uganda while providing travellers with an affordable, reliable and convenient flying experience that Jambojet is known for.”
Daily service
The airline will operate the route using its De Havilland Dash 8-400 aircraft.
Flight JM8522 will depart Nairobi at 9:30 am, arriving in Entebbe at 11 am. The return flight, JM8523, will leave Entebbe at 11:40 am, arriving in Nairobi at 1:10 pm, according to the published schedule.
The approximately 90-minute service will give passengers another direct option between the two cities, while putting additional capacity into a market already served by other carriers.
Jambojet will also carry cargo and parcels on the route, creating an additional channel for trade between the two countries.
A route with regional significance
The Nairobi–Entebbe corridor extends well beyond leisure travel.
The route supports business travel, tourism, government movement, trade and family travel between two closely integrated East African markets.
Jambojet’s return also comes as the airline expands beyond its established domestic network. The carrier currently has 11 aircraft, having expanded its active fleet in April, and has identified regional routes as part of its next phase of growth. It also recorded an 86.45 per cent on-time performance in July 2026, according to the airline.
For Uganda’s tourism industry, the additional Nairobi capacity creates another opportunity to tap into Kenya’s large aviation network. Ugandan travellers can use Nairobi as a gateway to Kenya’s coast, including Mombasa, Diani, Malindi and Lamu, while Kenyan travellers gain another option for reaching Uganda.
The route can equally support multi-destination itineraries combining Kenya’s wildlife and coastal attractions with Uganda’s safari, nature and cultural experiences.
Six years later
Jambojet first entered Uganda in 2018 as part of its international expansion, but the pandemic brought the service to an abrupt end as airlines across the region cut capacity and concentrated on rebuilding domestic networks.
The return comes with a different operating environment.
East African travel has recovered, regional business links have strengthened and airlines are once again adding capacity as demand grows.
For Jambojet, Entebbe is therefore more than the reopening of an old route. It is a test of how far the low-cost model can travel beyond Kenya—and a renewed attempt to connect two of East Africa’s most closely linked markets.
From October 1, the Nairobi–Entebbe route will once again be part of Jambojet’s network, six years after the pandemic put the connection on hold.
