Serbia and Uganda have officially signed a Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA), a significant milestone that will pave the way for direct flights and closer cooperation between the two nations. The signing took place in Niš during the inaugural session of the Joint Commission for Trade and Cooperation between the countries. This agreement, anticipated to boost economic and cultural exchanges, will establish non-stop air travel between Serbia and Uganda and includes a codeshare partnership between Uganda Airlines and Air Serbia.
Direct Flights and Codeshare Partnership
With the BASA in place, direct flights between Entebbe, Uganda, and Belgrade, Serbia, are expected to launch, fulfilling Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni’s recent commitment to connecting the two capitals. The codeshare agreement between Uganda Airlines and Air Serbia will further facilitate passenger and cargo flows, enhancing connectivity within Europe and the African continent.
Representing Uganda in the signing, Tumusiime Aggrey, the Senior Air Transport Officer in Charge of Regulation from the Ugandan Ministry of Transport, expressed optimism about the agreement’s potential impact: “The Bilateral Air Service Agreement will improve connectivity, trade, and socio-cultural relations between Uganda and Serbia. Ugandan airspace is safe and secure for commercial aviation following the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s (ICAO) security audits, where we passed above the global average.”
Aggrey underscored the significance of the agreement as part of broader goals set by both countries’ leadership, aimed at fostering mutual growth and strengthening bilateral ties.
Expanded Trade Routes Through Niš Airport
In addition to passenger flights, the agreement further reinforces Niš Constantine the Great Airport’s role as a key gateway for Ugandan exports into Eastern Europe. Niš Airport, with its more than 750 square meters of storage and shipping space — including cold storage — will facilitate Ugandan exporters in distributing their goods across Serbia and other Balkan markets, such as Greece, Albania, and Bulgaria. The facility’s capabilities make it an attractive logistical hub for Uganda’s agricultural products, especially perishable goods requiring efficient cold-chain management.
This expanded trade route aligns with Uganda’s recent focus on boosting exports and Serbia’s interest in diversifying imports. The improved infrastructure and new routes will likely contribute to the growth of Serbia-Uganda trade, enabling Ugandan businesses to access new markets in the Balkans and broader Eastern Europe.
Strengthening Economic and Diplomatic Ties
Since Serbia and Uganda began strengthening their bilateral relations last summer, a notable number of Serbian construction companies have entered Uganda, securing various contracts and laying the groundwork for future collaborative projects. The Joint Commission for Trade and Cooperation, scheduled to meet again in Kampala in February 2025, will likely further facilitate these ongoing developments and encourage additional partnerships.
Beyond trade, the BASA provides a foundation for increased cultural and social exchanges between Serbia and Uganda. With easier access, tourism and cultural programs are expected to increase, offering Serbian and Ugandan citizens more opportunities to explore each other’s cultures and fostering people-to-people connections that can further strengthen bilateral ties.
