President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has officially launched the construction works for Kidepo International Airport in Karenga District, a major infrastructure project aimed at boosting 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) at an estimated cost of over USD 72 million.
The airport will feature major aviation facilities, including a 3.6-kilometre runway, a 7,408-square-metre passenger terminal, a 74,200-square-metre cargo terminal, among other expansive infrastructure.
During the launch, President Museveni highlighted the vast opportunities that the international airport will bring to residents of Karenga District and the wider Karamoja sub-region.
He emphasized the tourism potential and economic viability of Kidepo Valley National Park, noting that the park has already attracted direct investment in infrastructure such as the international airport, with expected benefits extending to other untapped sectors in the region.
“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 said.
The President also commended communities in Karenga District near Kidepo National Park for voluntarily offering land for the airport project. He assured them that the development would bring significant returns through tourism, wildlife conservation, trade, and employment opportunities.
At the same event, President Museveni urged the people of Karamoja to diversify their commercial activities by embracing the four key sectors identified by the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government for wealth creation and poverty alleviation: commercial agriculture, manufacturing, services, and Information and Communication Technology (ICT).
Citing the global tourism industry, currently valued at USD 11.6 trillion under the services sector, President Museveni noted that there are numerous investment opportunities that could help communities transition from subsistence livelihoods to more profitable ventures.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting profitable sectors such as tourism and urged communities living near Kidepo National Park to support conservation efforts.
“Please, let us know what is good for our country Uganda. Services are very important in modern economies,” he said.
President Museveni also encouraged global investors to explore growing investment opportunities in Uganda and Africa at large, citing the 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 favorable returns and a ready market for their investments.
The Chairman of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, H.E. Abdallah Mohamad Sultan Alowais, revealed that the project currently employs 1,620 Ugandans and will be implemented in three consecutive phases.
He also praised the residents of Karenga District for warmly welcoming and supporting the project.
Leaders from the Karamoja sub-region informed President Museveni about the increasing investment activities in the area, following the restoration of peace and stability through the government’s disarmament programme targeting cattle rustlers.
The Minister for Karamoja Affairs-designate, Dr. John Baptist Lokii, cited cement factories, marble processing plants, mining ventures, and the Kidepo International Airport project as some of the key investments transforming Karamoja into an emerging investment destination.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Director General of the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority, Ms. Olive Birungi Lumonya, outlined the regulatory assessments conducted to ensure the successful implementation of the Kidepo International Airport project.
