By Richard Onapatum
KARENGA – Uganda has officially launched the construction of Kidepo International Airport, a major infrastructure project expected to unlock tourism, trade, and investment opportunities in the Karamoja sub-region.
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni presided over the groundbreaking ceremony in Karenga District on Friday, describing the airport as a transformative investment that will position Karamoja among Uganda’s key economic growth corridors.
The project, funded by the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), is estimated to cost more than USD 72 million. Once completed, the airport will feature a 3.6-kilometre runway, a modern passenger terminal covering 7,408 square metres, and a 74,200-square-metre cargo terminal, among other aviation facilities.
Addressing residents and leaders from across Karamoja, President Museveni said the airport is a testament to the immense tourism value of Kidepo Valley National Park, one of Africa’s most celebrated wildlife destinations.
“This investment is coming because of the value of Kidepo. What was once seen as land for grazing animals is now attracting infrastructure comparable to Entebbe International Airport,” he said.
The President commended communities in Karenga for voluntarily offering land for the project, noting that the airport would bring jobs, improve connectivity, and create opportunities in tourism, wildlife conservation, trade, and other sectors.
He also encouraged residents to embrace wealth creation initiatives in commercial agriculture, manufacturing, tourism, and information and communication technology (ICT), arguing that these sectors offer greater economic returns than subsistence livelihoods.
The Chairman of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, H.E. Abdallah Mohamad Sultan Alowais, said the project currently employs 1,620 Ugandans and will be implemented in three phases. He praised local communities for supporting the development.
Karamoja leaders highlighted the region’s growing attractiveness to investors following years of improved peace and security. Minister for Karamoja Affairs-designate Dr. John Baptist Lokii cited ongoing investments in cement production, marble processing, mining, and aviation as evidence of the region’s economic transformation.
The Deputy Director General of the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority, Olive Birungi Lumonya, said the authority has conducted the necessary regulatory assessments to guide the implementation of the airport project.
The construction of Kidepo International Airport marks a significant milestone in Uganda’s efforts to expand aviation infrastructure while opening up the remote but resource-rich Karamoja region to global tourism and investment.
