President Yoweri Museveni has revealed that the Kidepo International Airport, in Karenga District in Karamoja sub region is set to economic potential of Karamoja by improving access to the region and promoting investment linked to tourism and wildlife conservation.
During the launch of the construction of the Airport on Friday, President Museveni described the project as a major catalyst for tourism, trade, and investment in the sub-region.
The airport, which is being funded by the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the United Arab Emirates at an estimated cost of more than USD 72 million, will feature a 3.6-kilometre runway, a 7,408-square-metre passenger terminal, and a 74,200-square-metre cargo terminal, among other aviation facilities.
Museveni also commended communities in Karenga District for voluntarily offering land for the project, assuring them that the development would bring substantial benefits through increased tourism, trade, and other economic opportunities.
Museveni noted that tourism remains one of the world’s fastest-growing sectors and emphasized the need for communities living around Kidepo Valley National Park to support conservation efforts in order to benefit from the opportunities created by the industry.
He further praised the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry for choosing Uganda, as an investment destination and assured the investors of a favourable business environment and growing markets.
The President highlighted Africa’s expanding consumer base, saying the continent’s population growth presents significant opportunities for investors seeking new markets.
The Acting Director General Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) Ms Olive Birungi Lumonya, said the location of the Airport was chosen after extensive technical studies in collaboration with the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Uganda Wildlife Authority, Karenga District Local Government and other stakeholders.
Ms Lumonya said the site provides the optimal balance between operational efficiency, aviation safety, environmental sustainability and future expansion requirements.
“The airport has been planned as a Code 4E international airport with provision for future expansion to Code 4F standards. The design aircraft is B777-200ER capable of handling all other code E aircraft for all variants of B777, B747, Airbus 330, 340, 350, DC 10 and all other smaller aircraft”she said.
She added, “The runway length is 3,000 meters long by a width of 60 meters, including runway shoulders of 7.5 meters on either side”.
Ms Lumonya revealed that upon completion, the Airport will be capable of accommodating a wide range of modern aircraft and serving both regional and international traffic.
“Detailed surveys, feasibility studies, environmental and social impact assessments, master planning and engineering designs have been undertaken. The project has also undergone the necessary regulatory reviews in accordance with Uganda’s civil aviation requirements” she said.
The Chairperson of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Abdallah Mohamad Sultan Alowais, said the airport project is being implemented in three phases and currently employs 1,620 Ugandans.
”We commend the people of Karenga for their support and cooperation towards the successful implementation of this project,” Alowais said.
The Minister for Karamoja Affairs-designate, Dr. John Baptist Lokii, cited the establishment of cement factories, marble processing plants, mining ventures, and the Kidepo International Airport project as evidence of growing investor confidence in the sub-region.
