Following Uganda Airlines’ historic maiden landing at London Gatwick Airport, Victoria University Vice Chancellor Dr. Lawrence Muganga has called on Ugandans to rise above political biases and embrace a spirit of unity, truth and national pride.
“Fellow Ugandans, with your permission, kindly allow me to share that it is easy to fall into negativity, especially when we see something good coming from someone or a government we may not agree with. But real maturity and love for our country means being able to celebrate what is positive, no matter who is responsible for it,” Dr. Muganga said via X (Twitter) handle.
The milestone moment—when Uganda Airlines safely touched down at London Gatwick at exactly 17:01—was met with fanfare and national pride, but also revealed the persistent divide in public perception, particularly on social media, where accomplishments are often overshadowed by political sentiment.
“We should always try to put positive thinking first and remember to put our country first. That is what true patriotism looks like,” Dr. Muganga emphasized, urging Ugandans to embrace factual understanding and avoid knee-jerk criticism.
He further pointed out the need for accurate information in public discourse, especially from educated citizens.
“As educators, we often feel frustrated when people complete their education yet do not take time to find out accurate information or research what is really going on. This problem shows up clearly when people talk about Uganda Airlines without knowing its actual story,” he noted.
To set the record straight, Dr. Muganga clarified a common misconception:
“To be clear, Uganda once had an airline called Uganda National Airlines, which started in 1977 and stopped operating in 2001. The current Uganda Airlines is not the same company. It is a new airline that was registered in 2018, giving Uganda a fresh start in aviation. Every achievement it makes is new for this company.”
Indeed, Uganda Airlines’ landing in the UK marked not only an expansion of its international routes but also a symbol of national aspiration and progress.
“When Uganda Airlines landed in the United Kingdom for the first time at London Gatwick yesterday, that was a new and historic achievement for this new company,” Dr. Muganga added.
He further noted, “Let us use this as a reminder to educate ourselves and find the facts before rushing to criticize. The best thing we can do is to learn, to stay positive, and to always put our country above personal feelings. That is how we help Uganda move forward.”
The successful flight to London signals not just a new route, but a new chapter in Uganda’s aviation story. As Dr. Muganga aptly put it:
“History made! Uganda Airlines has safely touched down at London Gatwick Airport at exactly 17:01 — marking its first-ever landing on UK soil! A proud moment for Uganda and a giant leap in connecting our Pearl of Africa to the world. Congratulations to Uganda Airlines for making the dream take flight!”
