President Museveni Meets Chinese Consortium on Proposed Mbarara International Airport

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni met with a China-based consortium proposing to build and develop an international airport in Nyakisharara, Mbarara District. The meeting took place at State House, Entebbe on Thursday.

The project, presented by Base 7 Aviation International Academy and their consultants, Hamster Business Solutions, aims to transform the region’s economic landscape. According to officials from Base 7, Mr. Mugabi Charles and Ms. Alexandria Judith Kyakunzire, three firms will drive the project:

Hunan Construction and Investment Engineering Company – responsible for construction

China Southwest Architectural Design and Research Institute – overseeing feasibility and design

Blackrock Uwekeza – financing and operating the airport under a Build, Operate, Transfer (BOT) model

President Museveni welcomed the group, pledging government support for the development of an iconic international airport in Mbarara. He urged the consortium to coordinate closely with the government’s technical team to finalize project plans.

The President emphasized the airport’s strategic importance, noting it would boost the economy, create jobs, and promote tourism and agriculture. During the presentation, he reflected on the area’s history and stressed the need to preserve the environment throughout construction.

Mr. Bethuel Macharia of Blackrock Uwekeza expressed enthusiasm for financing the project, highlighting its potential to drive substantial economic growth. Consultants Mr. Eddie Kisitu and Mr. Abubakar Kaseruuzi of Hamster Business Solutions showcased the airport’s benefits, including facilitating transit between Latin America, China, Indonesia, and Australia, which could generate significant revenue for Uganda and the wider region.

The airport is expected to enhance regional connectivity and have a profound impact on Uganda’s economy, with projections suggesting it could triple the country’s economic output. Under President Museveni’s initiative, Party and Term-Oriented Delivery, the project is set to be operational by 2030.