According to Mr. Fred Bamwesigye, Director General of the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA), the expansion and upgrade project at Entebbe International Airport are now at a 90 percent completion level. Mr. Bamwesigye shared this information during a press conference held at the airport on Friday, April 19.
This new structure, spanning 20,000 square meters, is set to connect with the existing terminal, which covers 30,000 square meters. This means that the new and old terminals will be seamlessly linked, providing a unified experience for travelers.
Mr. Fred Bamwesigye, Director General of the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA), provided this insight during a recent press conference at the airport. He emphasized that the connection between the new and old terminals is a crucial aspect of the project. While the new terminal is currently at a 60 percent completion level, the overall progress of the expansion works stands at an impressive 90 percent.
The major remaining component of the project is the construction of a 20,000 square meter terminal building, currently at 60 percent completion. Additionally, work on expanding Apron 1 is at a 95 percent completion level. These developments are part of a $200 million project undertaken by China Communications Construction Company (CCCC). Previous completed works include the resurfacing of runways 17/35 and 12/30, associated taxiways, construction of a 100,000-tonne capacity Cargo Centre, and resurfacing of Aprons 2 and 4.
Upon the completion of the new terminal building, the airport’s capacity will increase from accommodating two million passengers annually to at least 3.5 million passengers. This expansion aims to address the recent surge in passenger traffic. In March 2024, Entebbe International Airport handled a total of 171,990 international passengers, with an average of 5,548 passengers per day. This increase follows a trend of rising traffic, with over 6,000 passengers per month in the preceding three months.
Mr. Bamwesigye also addressed concerns regarding flooding at the airport’s car parking area on April 6, 2024, caused by heavy rainfall. He clarified that despite viral videos suggesting prolonged flooding, the water drained within 30-45 minutes. He attributed the incident partly to the age of some airport structures, many of which were built in the 1970s. However, ongoing construction includes improvements to drainage systems to accommodate new developments. Mr. Bamwesigye emphasized that all pending works are scheduled for completion this year, urging the public to bear temporary inconveniences for an enhanced passenger experience.
Additionally, Mr. Bamwesigye urged Ugandans to refrain from sharing negative images of such incidents, as they can impact tourism negatively. Eng Ayub Sooma, Director of Airports and Aviation Security at UCAA, outlined plans for the second phase of expansion, which will involve widening the runway to accommodate larger aircraft like the Airbus A380.
Bamwesigye says the progress at Entebbe International Airport reflects efforts to modernize and expand infrastructure to meet growing demand while ensuring passenger safety and comfort.
