Sudan Airways starts flights to Entebbe in March

KAMPALA, Feb 16, 2005 (The Monitor) — The Sudanese Airways will soon start direct flights from Khartoum via Juba to Entebbe.

This follows the normalisation of relations between the two countries after the Khartoum government and the Southern Sudan SPLA rebels signed a peace agreement in Nairobi, Kenya.

Relations between Uganda and Sudan were severed in 1994 after both countries accused each other of harbouring dissident forces.

The weekly flights are expected to start as early as March 5 this year, according to the Sudanese ambassador, Mr Sharaj al Deen Hamid Sharaj.

Sharaj made the announcement while receiving the Information Consultant of Sudanese National Congress Youth league (SYL), Mr Babidr Yousif, at the Sudanese Embassy in Kampala.

Babidr arrived yesterday and was welcomed by members of the Uganda Youth League (UYL).

Sharaj said the flights would cement relations and improve trade between the two countries.

Sudan Airways already has regular flights to Kenya and Tanzania. The new connection to Uganda, which was suspended due to the bad relations between the two countries, will now enrich the trade and business connections between the Sudan and the entire East African Community, which also strengthens the Comesa agreement, according to a statement from the Sudanese Ministry of Finance and Economy.

The first flight will have on board the Sudanese Minister of Transport, Sudan Airways boss and a team of business personalities, who will attend a meeting at Speke Resort Munyonyo on March 15.

Sharaj said Uganda could benefit from the cheap oil from Southern Sudan. Babidr is expected to meet the team from the Uganda National Youth League to strengthen relations.