MAF Uganda Launches First Amphibious Plane to Serve Lake Victoria Islands

In a landmark moment for aviation and humanitarian aid in East Africa, the first MAF Uganda Cessna Caravan amphibious aircraft touched down at Entebbe International Airport. The arrival of the specialized float plane marks the culmination of a five-year vision to overcome the profound isolation faced by communities scattered across Lake Victoria’s islands.

The event was met with celebration by staff from Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF), who have long worked to connect remote communities with essential services.

“For a very long time, MAF has worked hard to provide a float plane that would remove isolation from the people on Lake Victoria islands,” a representative stated. This new aircraft is the tangible answer to that challenge.

The logistical hurdles of Lake Victoria are significant. The lake is home to over 200 islands, yet possesses only a single formal airstrip on Bukasa Island. This has severely limited access to critical supplies, medical care, and other services for the vast majority of island inhabitants. The new amphibious Cessna Caravan, capable of landing on both water and runways, is poised to become a lifeline, directly serving the most remote communities.

The emotional significance of the moment was not lost on MAF Uganda’s leadership.

“I’m so overwhelmed with gratitude,” said Sam Baguma, MAF Uganda’s Country Director. “I can’t express how excited I am to finally have this aircraft here. I’ve been working on this for over five years, and I’ve seen so many people across the MAF family pooling their expertise together to make this happen because they deeply care about the people that are going to be reached by this tool.”

The anticipation for the plane’s impact is already resonating within the communities it will serve. Pastor Dirisa Walakira, a leader of the pastors’ fellowship on the Lake Victoria islands, captured the prevailing sentiment simply and powerfully: “Salvation has arrived.”

The historic flight into Uganda was piloted by MAF’s float plane experts, Ryan Unger and Chad Tilley. With the aircraft now on the ground, MAF Uganda will begin its operational phase, transforming the promise of connection into a reality for thousands.