Uganda Airlines’ inaugural service departed Entebbe at 9.25am local time on Sunday (18 May) and arrived in London at 4.55pm UK time. It will operate the route four times a week on Sundays, Tuesdays, Wednesday and Fridays, with same-day returns, using Airbus A330-800neo aircraft.

Jenifer Bamuturaki, Uganda Airlines chief executive, said the route would "connect Uganda with one of the world’s busiest and most strategic aviation hubs".

"On the return leg, flight times are carefully synchronised to ensure smooth connections across our growing African network – linking passengers from London to key destinations in East, Central and West Africa.”

Uganda’s minister of works and transport, Katumba Wamala, said: "This direct flight makes it more convenient than ever for British tourists to explore Uganda’s diverse natural attractions, from the mountain gorillas to the source of the Nile. We anticipate a strong boost in tourism arrivals and associated revenues.”

Gatwick’s chief commercial officer Jonathan Pollard added: "This new route not only strengthens our position as a key gateway to Africa but also supports our vision of fostering economic growth and connectivity, particularly among new markets across Africa, Asia and the Middle East."

The addition boosts Gatwick’s connectivity with Africa, with services to 10 destinations across the continent including Ghana, Nigeria and Cape Verde.

Gatwick will gain another direct Africa route, to Kenya’s capital Nairobi, from 3 July.