By Frank Kamuntu
President Yoweri Museveni on Friday officially launched the construction of Kidepo International Airport, a landmark infrastructure project expected to transform tourism, boost trade, and unlock the economic potential of Uganda’s northeastern region.
The groundbreaking ceremony, held in Karenga District near the renowned Kidepo Valley National Park, marks the beginning of construction works on what will become Uganda’s third international airport after Entebbe and Kabalega International Airport.
Once completed, Kidepo International Airport will feature a 3,500-metre runway capable of handling large wide-body aircraft, including the Boeing 777, significantly improving access to one of Africa’s most celebrated wildlife destinations.
The project stems from a Memorandum of Understanding signed on June 21, 2024, between the Government of Uganda and the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the United Arab Emirates. President Museveni witnessed the signing agreement, which laid the foundation for the airport’s development as a public-private partnership.
Officials say the airport is designed to handle up to two million passengers annually and will serve as a strategic gateway to the Karamoja sub-region, an area long constrained by limited transport infrastructure despite its vast tourism and investment potential.
On tourism, the airport is expected to provide direct international access to one of the world’s premier safari destinations, reducing travel time for tourists and making northern Uganda more accessible to visitors from Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and the Americas.
Tourism stakeholders believe the project will significantly increase visitor numbers to Kidepo and surrounding attractions while creating opportunities for new investments in hotels, lodges, transport services, and other tourism-related businesses.
The airport is also expected to strengthen Uganda’s position as an emerging aviation hub in East Africa by expanding international connectivity and opening new travel routes to the country’s northern tourism circuit.
Government officials say the development aligns with Uganda’s Vision 2040 strategy, which identifies transport infrastructure as a critical driver of economic transformation, trade expansion, and regional integration.
Beyond tourism, the airport is expected to stimulate commerce and investment in Karamoja, creating jobs during both the construction and operational phases. Local communities are projected to benefit from increased demand for accommodation, food services, transportation, and other supporting industries.
The project comes at a time when Uganda’s tourism sector continues to recover and expand, supported by growing international arrivals and increased investment in aviation infrastructure. Industry experts say improved air connectivity will encourage longer visitor stays, higher tourist spending, and the growth of niche tourism segments such as adventure travel, cultural tourism, bird watching, and eco-safaris.
Speaking during the groundbreaking ceremony, President Museveni described the airport as a strategic investment that will improve connectivity, attract investors, and accelerate socio-economic development in Karamoja and the wider northern region.
With construction now underway, Kidepo International Airport is expected to become a major catalyst for tourism growth and economic development, further positioning Uganda as a competitive destination in the East African tourism market.
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