Museveni Launches Construction of USD 72 Million Kidepo International Airport

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has today launched the construction of Kidepo International Airport in Karenga District, in a move intended to boost tourism, trade, and investment in the Karamoja sub-region.

The construction of Kidepo International Airport is being funded by the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and is estimated to cost over USD 72 million. Major facilities will include a 3.6-kilometre runway, a 7,408-square-metre passenger terminal, a 74,200-square-metre cargo terminal, among other expansive aviation facilities.

During the launch, President Museveni highlighted to the residents of Karenga and the entire Karamoja sub-region the opportunities associated with hosting an international airport in the area. He also expounded on the tourism potential and viability of Kidepo Valley National Park, which has already attracted direct investment in infrastructure such as the international airport, with spillover benefits expected in other untapped sectors.

“Now, Kidepo, which you wanted to destroy with goats, sheep and donkeys, is now bringing you this investment here, an airport like Entebbe Airport,” he said.

President Museveni also commended communities in Karenga District near Kidepo National Park for voluntarily offering land to host the project. He assured them of significant development opportunities and returns through tourism, wildlife conservation, trade, and other economic activities.

He further urged the people of Karamoja to broaden their scope of commercial enterprise selection within the four viable sectors identified by the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government for wealth creation and poverty alleviation.

Citing the global tourism industry’s contribution, currently estimated at USD 11.6 trillion under the services sector, alongside commercial agriculture, manufacturing, and ICT, President Museveni noted that investment opportunities are wide enough to enable people to transition from traditional subsistence activities that have limited their incomes.

He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting profitable sectors such as tourism and advised communities living near Kidepo National Park to adhere to government conservation strategies.

“Please, let’s know what is good for our country, Uganda. Services are very important in modern economies,” President Museveni stated.

Furthermore, the President encouraged global investors to explore the growing investment opportunities in Africa, particularly Uganda, citing the country’s expanding market for goods and services.

He commended the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry for choosing to invest in Uganda and assured them of returns on their investment through a ready market.

H.E. Abdallah Mohamad Sultan Alowais, Chairman of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, disclosed that the project currently employs 1,620 Ugandans and will be implemented in three phases.

He also commended the residents of Karenga District for welcoming and supporting the project.

Leaders from the Karamoja sub-region informed President Museveni of the increasing investment activity in the area following the restoration of peace and stability through the disarmament of cattle rustlers.

The Minister for Karamoja Affairs-designate, Dr. John Baptist Lokii, cited cement factories, marble processing plants, mines, and the Kidepo International Airport project among the investments already established in Karamoja, describing the sub-region as an attractive investment destination.

Ms. Olive Birungi Lumonya, Deputy Director General of the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority, outlined the regulatory assessments that have been conducted for the Kidepo International Airport project.