Entebbe International Airport: Gateway to the Pearl of Africa

Nov 06, 2025 0

Welcome to Entebbe International Airport (EBB), your gateway to Uganda, the Pearl of Africa! Traveling to Uganda by air is the most common choice and the most convenient way to begin your adventure in the Pearl of Africa. Entebbe International Airport (IATA: EBB, ICAO: HUEN) is the only international airport in Uganda.

The airport is located southwest of the town of Entebbe, on the northern shores of Lake Victoria, and by road southwest of the central business district of Kampala, the capital city of Uganda. The Airport lies astride the equator at latitude 00.020 North and longitude 320 East and has often been described as the “Airport on the Equator”.

Entebbe Airport found in Entebbe Municipality is the main entrance to the Pearl of Africa; it is located just 40 kilometers southwest of Kampala, the capital city of Uganda. Therefore this gives a chance to most of the tourists who may need to carryout Kampala city tour or travel to other national parks in Uganda. Uganda tour operators too receive clients from the airport and drive them to their preferred destinations.

A Brief History

The airport was opened by the British Colonial authorities. On 10 November 1951, the airport was formally reopened after its facilities had been extended. The Old Entebbe airport is used by Uganda's military forces.

It was the scene of a hostage rescue operation by Israeli Sayeret Matkal, dubbed Operation Entebbe, in 1976 after an Arab-German hijacking of Air France Flight 139 following a stopover in Athens, Greece, en route to Paris from Tel Aviv. The scene of that rescue was the old terminal, which has been demolished, except for its control tower and airport hall.

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Recent Developments and Expansions

The airport has recently undergone significant upgrades aimed at improving your travel experience. Please note that access to the Departure area has changed; drop-offs and pick-ups at the entrance are no longer allowed.

In March 2022, online and print media reported that the Chinese-built cargo center, capable of handling 100,000 metric tonnes of cargo, had begun commercial operations. In July 2024, Tristar Energy Limited completed the construction of underground storage tanks with a storage capacity of 12,000,000 liters of aviation fuel and pipelines measuring 7 kilometers, which were ready for commercial commissioning. Over the next five years, the capacity of the underground storage tanks is expected to be expanded by another 11,000,000 liters. As of 2029, the aviation fuel storage capacity at this airport is planned to be 23,000,000 liters.

In April 2016, Minister of Works John Byabagambi launched a USh 42.6 billion (US$11.4 million) project to expand the departure and arrival lounges. The work will be carried out by Seyani Brothers Limited and will be fully funded by the Civil Aviation Authority of Uganda. Construction is scheduled to commence on 1 June 2016 with completion expected in December 2017.

Many regular travelers appreciate its unique charm. While Entebbe Airport may not be extravagant, it is functional and continues to evolve to accommodate increasing passenger numbers.

EIA benefits from the over 120 million population that moves freely within the East African Common Market. Uganda is a popular tourist destination, drawing visitors from all over the world especially UK, German and USA, who between them supply over 200,000 out of a total of over 1,000,000 tourist arrivals.

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Entebbe International Airport is a crucial hub for tourism in Uganda, serving as the main gateway for international travelers. It's located near popular attractions like Lake Victoria and The river Nile. The airport provides various facilities to meet the needs of tourists, including transportation options, tourist information counters, and currency exchange.

The Uganda Tourism Board has offices at the airport, providing information on tours and safaris. Entebbe Airport serves as a hub for the national carrier, Uganda Airlines, which is expanding its network and contributing to the increase in international traffic.

The airport's location allows visitors to easily access cultural sites and wildlife attractions like Mabamba Swamp and Ssese Island for bird watching and fishing. From Entebbe Airport to Bwindi impenetrable National park by flight, it takes only 1 hour, while by road it takes 8 hours. We can reserve a flight by use of Aero link to Bwindi Impenetrable National park Forest. One can eliminate the long drives of 7-8 hours to Bwindi Impenetrable National park and use a flight which takes the shortest time.

Inside Entebbe International Airport. Complete traveler's guide 2025 .HD

Airlines and Destinations

A diverse range of airlines operates flights to Entebbe, providing travelers from around the globe with various options. Major international carriers such as Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Ethiopian Airlines make reaching Uganda from distant continents possible. At the same time, regional favorites like Kenya Airways and RwandAir offer seamless connections from neighboring countries.

Since 2019, Uganda Airlines made a significant comeback, offering essential domestic and regional flights. This airline connects you to popular East African destinations like Dar es Salaam, Kilimanjaro, Nairobi, and Mombasa.

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Looking to the future, Uganda is constructing a second international airport in the Hoima area, which promises to further enhance travel options and connectivity.

Here's a list of airlines and destinations served by Entebbe International Airport:

Airlines	Destinations
Uganda Airlines	Abuja, Bujumbura, Dar es Salaam, Dubai-International, Harare, Johannesburg-O.R. Tambo
African Airline	Johannesburg-O.R. Tambo
BidAir Cargo	Johannesburg-O.R. Tambo
Stabo Air	Johannesburg-O.R. Tambo
Uganda Air Cargo	Dubai-International, Frankfurt, Johannesburg-O.R. Tambo

Passenger Information and Services

Our dedicated airport staff, including immigration and customs personnel, are here to assist you. Now that you’ve arrived, a world of adventure awaits you beyond the Arrivals area.

At Entebbe International Airport, we provide practical tourist information and updates on the latest COVID-19 rules and regulations. We have done our best to ensure you receive thorough guidance. Enjoy your stay in Uganda, the Pearl of Africa, and have a pleasant flight home.

What are the services at the Airport?

Flight information: Flight Information display boards and Customer Care desks are conveniently located in the passenger terminal building, basically information can be obtained from boards and screens.
Visit to the Airport: Uganda Civil Aviation Authority welcomes visitors to the airport and as a matter of fact several educational school tours are conducted every year.
Check-in Area and Airlines: Airline regulations require passengers to check in by certain times prior to the departure of a flight. The check in process enables passengers to confirm their respective flight, obtain a boarding pass, possibly select their seat and check in luggage onto a plane. The items needed for check-in counter check in are passport, paper ticket or confirmation number of an online ticket.
Online check-in: Some Airlines at the Airport have provided online check-in before arriving at the Airport to speed up the Check-in process. However, departing passengers are required to present a valid passport or other travel document and completed departure embarkation card to the immigration officer.

Available Facilities at the Airport

Baggage facilities/lost-found and left luggage: Misconnected and lost baggage are reported to the ground-Handling Company office at the arrival hall, or the airline on which the passenger arrived. However, for items lost while at the Airport, a report is made to the Aviation Security Office located on the departures floor. Additionally, passenger handling staff assist the older and disabled people. There is a Baggage Information display board at each baggage claim belt, although the belt on which your arrival flight number is indicated will deliver your baggage.
Airline lounge/Travel clubs: There is a privately managed departure lounge, that renders world-class service in a natural setting, complete with water fountains and beautiful flora. Above all, a TV screen and the internet service add value to the open blue-sky aesthetics, comfort and more. In other words, invitation to the lounges is made by the airline of your choice, depending on the class of travel or your commercial relation with it.
Baby changing facilities: Baby Changing facilities are available in the washrooms along the departure transit concourse and Karibuni lounge.
Facilities for disabled passengers: Lifts, ramps, wheelchairs, covered walkways and special walkways are available to assist the older people and the disabled people.
Meeting passengers: A meeting point is located just outside the arrival hall on the ground floor and facilities including Customer care desks, restaurants not to mention but a few.
Car Rental Desks: You can hire a self-driven car on arrival at Entebbe or hire a taxi to your destination.
Medical facility: Airport Medical Centre provides emergency treatment and located at the northern end of the terminal Building and is open 24 hours. In the same way, there is also a Health desk within the Arrivals Hall managed by Clinical and Public Health Staff.
Banking and Bureau De change: Commercial banking and Bureau De Change services are available at the Departures and Arrivals level. Without delay, banks and Forex Bureau handle most convertible currencies. Although there are no currency restrictions in Uganda, hard currencies purchased from money dealers should be accompanied with an official receipt.
WiFi: Liquid telecom and Airtel provide free wireless internet (WIFI), which can be accessed from various passenger movement areas within the terminal building at the Airport. To phrase it, wireless internet can be accessed by departing passengers and other airport users in the Check-in area, Boarding Lounges and VIP
Telephone services: Purchase telephone cards at the mobile telephone booths which also provide other Cellular telephone facilities and services. Airport intercom service is free of charge. Please ask for assistance at the UCAA Customer Care desk on the Ground Floor in case of need.
Shopping: Uganda Duty Free Sales, Transit Duty Free Sales and JIT competitively operate three easily accessible shops on departure. In addition, there are also two Duty Free shops namely Transit Duty Free Sales and Uganda Duty Free Sales at the VVIP facility. Diplomatic Duty Free shop operated by Uganda Duty Free Sales is also located on 2nd Floor in the Passenger Terminal building.
General public shopping: A collection of Ugandan and East African hand-made crafts and gift shops are available on 1st Floor and also in the transit concourse at departure. In the same fashion, there are also a number of items ranging from newspapers, books, safari and leisure wear at the airport.
Entertainment: Television screens in the departure concourse and restaurants bring to you both local and international programs.
Security: Restricted items Before you head to the Airport, you should take the time to get familiar with common security rules. Look out for what kinds of identification you may need and basic baggage rules.

Navigating Customs and Immigration

We recommend checking out our advice and tips to make your arrival at Entebbe International Airport seamless. First and foremost, make sure you have all your necessary travel documents, such as your passport and travel itinerary, readily accessible. Additionally, it’s essential to be mindful of local customs and culture.

What about my Passport? You will need a Ugandan or East African Visa. Either must be obtained online before arrival at Entebbe International Airport. Are there any health screenings for arriving passengers? Yes, there are. Is a Yellow Fever Certificate still required? Yes, the Yellow Fever Certificate is yet needed. It is a precautionary measure that no Yellow Fever is brought into Uganda.

There is no Yellow Fever in Uganda, but the country is a part of the worldwide Yellow Fever Zone that spans the globe. A Return Ticket to your country of origin may be asked for. Enough funds or ways to obtain funds may be asked for.

After you have passed through Immigration, it is time to pick up your luggage. Unlike other African Airports, there is minimal pilferage of your luggage at Entebbe International Airport. Pick your bags, and the last procedure will be custom. This is the last procedure, and usually, a Tourist is not asked to open bags. Your Bags may be scanned.

Entebbe has the reputation of being a transit point for contraband from drugs to ivory. You can bring 400 cigarettes or 500 grams of tobacco-one bottle of spirits or wine, 2 1/2 liters of beer, and 1oz of perfume. Uganda has become a transit point for drugs, and Uganda is also a transit point for the illegal wildlife trade.

If you need Ugandan Shillings (UGX), you can get them using an ATM in the arrivals lounge, and you will receive the withdrawal in Uganda Shillings. A Visa card is the most widely accepted Card. The meeting area for tour operators, taxis, drivers, and hotel transport is outside the arrival area.

Departure Tips

It is best to arrive 4 hours early for your flight home for overseas flights. There can be long line-ups - three hours is recommended, and we make sure our clients are there on time. Security is tight, and you must carry the luggage up a ramp for safety. Your luggage is scanned as you enter the departure and check-in ticketing area.

After check-in with your Airline, fill out the Immigration departure form. Customs scan all outgoing luggage. There is also a charming Karibuni Lounge for Business and First-Class Travelers, where snacks and beverages are served. Passengers traveling by economy can use the facility at US$35 for three hours (including drinks and snacks). The departure areas have been enlarged to allow for Social Distancing and your comfort. Many Flights depart during late evening and night hours.

Embrace Ugandan Hospitality

Uganda is renowned as one of Africa’s friendliest and most welcoming countries, offering visitors a warm and hospitable experience. While many Ugandans are warm and approachable, some immigration officials may appear more task-oriented and bureaucratic. It’s important to remember that this experience doesn’t define every interaction you’ll have during your visit.

A friendly smile and a cheerful greeting, such as saying “seka,” which means “smile,” can work wonders. By maintaining a positive attitude and embracing the true spirit of Ugandan hospitality, you can create a more enjoyable experience for yourself and those you meet along the way. Prepare to experience Uganda’s warmth, friendliness, and hospitality.

The reality of Uganda often exceeds tourists’ expectations. Many find themselves enchanted by the country’s charm and become repeat visitors, wishing they had come earlier. Get ready to embrace Uganda’s authentic hospitality. The genuine friendliness of the people will make you feel right at home.

Growing Passenger Traffic

For the last 10 years EIA has experienced growth in all parameters of the airport. Since 2002, international passenger traffic at the airport has increased annually, except for 2009 when the Great Recession caused a small decline and 2014. During the period between 1 January 2024 and 30 June 2024, EBB handled a total of 1,069,224 international passengers (527,692 arrivals and 541,532 departures).