BA64 (NBO-LHR) routing via EBB

[JEP]

Watching FR24 I notice, that BA64 often flies over Entebbe before heading north, while Kenya Airways also going to LHR and KLM going to AMS take a more direct route NNW out of Kenya.

Can anyone share the reason for this (weather, safety assessment, airway congestion ??)

[Foxcotte]

Its an old rumour, but years ago when there was another threat against western airlines, it was said that BA developed their own departure/arrival routes into JKIA to avoid flying over heavily populated areas near the airport, and the IAF at the top of an easily accessible hill that puts airlines in the easy target of a fanatic. Supposedly they 'select' their own arrivals/departures (with approval of ATC) so that no-one knows exactly where they're likely to be. It was bar-room talk, and not recent, so no ideas how true/real this scenario is.