President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has launched the construction works for Kidepo International Airport in Karenga District to unlock the commercial tourism and investment potential of the Karamoja sub-region.
The President presided over the groundbreaking ceremony on Friday afternoon near Kidepo Valley National Park. Funded by the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the mega aviation project is estimated to cost over USD 72 million.
The structural blueprint features a 3.6-kilometer runway, a 7,408-square-meter passenger terminal, and a massive 74,200-square-meter cargo hub. President Museveni commended the local communities of Karenga District for voluntarily donating the land required to host the infrastructural asset.
He reminded residents that the restoration of state peace following the disarmament of lawless cattle rustlers made such multi-million-dollar foreign direct investments possible.
The Head of State explained that the international airport will position the region as a primary gateway for global investors and high-end travelers. He urged the population to abandon destructive subsistence practices, such as overgrazing livestock inside conservation zones, to preserve the lucrative wildlife heritage.
“Now, Kidepo, which you wanted to destroy with goats, sheep and donkeys, is now bringing you this investment here, an airport like Entebbe Airport,” President Museveni stated. “Please let’s know what is good for our country Uganda. Services are very important in modern economies.”
The Chairman of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, H.E. Abdallah Mohamad Sultan Alowais, disclosed that the massive project will roll out across three sequential phases. He revealed that the construction site has already absorbed a local workforce of 1,620 Ugandans, providing immediate employment to the youth.
The Minister for Karamoja Affairs-designate, Dr. John Baptist Lokii, reported that the region is witnessing an industrial boom. He highlighted new cement factories, marble processing plants, and commercial mines as evidence of Karamoja's rapid transformation into a competitive national asset.
Uganda Civil Aviation Authority Deputy Director General, Ms. Olive Birungi Lumonya, verified that all necessary regulatory and safety assessments were fully completed before the groundbreaking.
Core Specifications of the Upcoming Kidepo International Airport
The specialized facility will match high international aviation standards to handle heavy passenger and logistics traffic:
- Project Cost: Estimated at over USD 72 million.
- Runway Length: 3.6 kilometers designed for large commercial aircraft.
- Passenger Facilities: A 7,408-square-meter modern passenger terminal.
- Cargo Facilities: A 74,200-square-meter specialized cargo terminal.
- Current Labor Force: 1,620 Ugandan workers employed on-site.
