Uganda Airlines has marked a new chapter in its young history after its engineering team successfully carried out the first-ever in-house engine change on a CRJ900 aircraft, a milestone hailed as a breakthrough for the national carrier’s technical capacity.
The complex exercise, conducted at Entebbe International Airport, saw engineers remove the Number 1 engine from aircraft 5X-KNP and replace it with a spare engine. The removed unit will be dispatched for manufacturer upgrades before being reinstalled on the aircraft’s Number 2 side.
According to officials, the operation would normally take about 48 hours. However, Uganda Airlines’ Approved Maintenance Organization (AMO) deliberately stretched the process to four days, allowing graduate trainees to gain hands-on experience under the supervision of senior engineers.
“This achievement proves our ability to independently handle critical technical procedures. It boosts confidence in our team and significantly cuts costs we would otherwise incur abroad,” noted one of the airline’s senior maintenance managers.
Industry experts estimate that conducting the engine change in Uganda saved the airline well over USD 100,000 compared to outsourcing the work internationally. Beyond cost efficiency, the milestone underscores the growing competence of Uganda Airlines’ AMO, which only received certification from the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority in March 2024.
For the national carrier, the development is more than just a technical victory. It positions Uganda Airlines as a rising aviation player capable of meeting international maintenance standards while nurturing local talent.
Currently, the airline operates a fleet of Airbus A330-800neo and Bombardier CRJ900 aircraft, linking Uganda to key regional and international destinations. With this latest milestone, Uganda Airlines is looking to strengthen reliability, safety, and efficiency—hallmarks of a carrier with ambitions to become a regional leader.