Entebbe Airport Receives 247 Pallets: How Air Cargo Secured Uganda's Key Election Materials

The Uganda Electoral Commission (EC) successfully managed a major air cargo operation on Sunday, January 4, 2026. A chartered cargo aircraft delivered 247 pallets of election materials to Entebbe International Airport (EBB). This ballot paper logistics mission is key for the country's upcoming general elections.

High-Stakes Air Freight Operation

The latest election materials consignment arrived from Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. It contained ballot papers for district chairpersons, city mayors, and women councillors. EC officials confirmed that this shipment completes all papers for city and district women councillors.

Julius Mucunguzi, the EC's head of public relations, received the delivery. He was joined by procurement and field operations officials. The shipment included 144 pallets for district chairpersons and city mayors. The remaining 103 pallets were for women councillors.

This delivery accounts for 90% of the total ballots needed for district chairpersons and city mayors. The EC expects all remaining materials printed outside Uganda before the week's end.

The International Logistics Chain

This air freight delivery is part of a larger phased importation strategy. This strategy aims to reduce logistical risks and boost oversight. The EC has contracted a mix of international printing firms and domestic companies.

Foreign companies involved include Al Ghurair Printing & Publishing LLC from Dubai. Others are Uniprint Global, Inform Lykos (Hellas), and Sintel Security Print. Domestic firms like Picfare Industries Limited are also contracted.

The first consignments arrived in late December 2025. These deliveries included 631 pallets for the presidential and parliamentary elections. The initial presidential ballot papers arrived on Christmas Eve. That shipment was transported by a privately chartered cargo aircraft. It was operated by Air Atlanta Icelandic for the Network Aviation Group.

Impact on Entebbe International Airport

Entebbe International Airport (EBB) serves as the critical entry point. The airport's cargo infrastructure handles the sensitive materials. The large volume of pallets requires significant ramp and warehouse coordination. Upon arrival, the materials are immediately loaded onto EC trucks. They are then transported under heavy security to EC warehouses in Kampala.

• Security: The process is overseen by EC officials and political party representatives. This measure ensures transparency and material integrity.
• Throughput: The airport must maintain high-speed cargo processing. This ensures timely distribution to over 50,000 polling stations nationwide.
• Coordination: The operation highlights the essential role of air cargo in national infrastructure projects. It requires close coordination between the EC and Entebbe International Airport authorities.

This complex ballot paper logistics operation shows the importance of secure chartered cargo aircraft services. The timely arrival of materials is vital for a credible electoral process. For more commercial aviation news and logistics updates, visit flying.flights.

• 247 pallets arrived at Entebbe International Airport on January 4, 2026.
• The total received for presidential and parliamentary elections was 631 pallets.
• The high-stakes air freight operation used a chartered cargo aircraft from a Dubai printing firm.
• The logistics involve international firms like Al Ghurair and local contractors.