Karamoja, Uganda – In another milestone win for Economic and Commercial Diplomacy, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni officially launched the construction works for Kidepo International Airport in Karenga District, marking a significant milestone in Uganda’s drive to expand tourism infrastructure and deepen regional economic transformation in Karamoja sub-region. The ambitious project is expected to position the region as a strategic gateway for international tourism, trade, and investment.
The project was engineered through diplomatic and investment facilitation efforts led by Ambassador Zaake Kibedi, Uganda’s Ambassador to the UAE, who played a key role in strengthening bilateral cooperation and promoting foreign direct investment into Uganda’s infrastructure development agenda. The airport is being developed with funding from the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, part of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), at an estimated cost of over USD 72 million. Once completed, the facility will feature a 3.6-kilometer runway capable of handling international aircraft, a 7,408-square-meter passenger terminal, and a 74,200-square-meter cargo terminal, alongside other supporting aviation infrastructure designed to meet global standards.
During the launch ceremony, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni emphasised the untapped tourism potential of the Karamoja sub-region, particularly around Kidepo Valley National Game Park, noting that the area is now attracting major infrastructure investments due to its unique wildlife and ecological value. He highlighted that what was once perceived as a remote and underdeveloped region is now becoming a focal point for international investment and development.
The President further urged local communities to embrace conservation and shift toward commercial economic activities, aligning with the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government’s broader strategy of wealth creation. He identified tourism, commercial agriculture, manufacturing, and ICT as key sectors capable of transforming livelihoods across Uganda. He also commended residents of Karenga District for voluntarily offering land for the airport project, describing their cooperation as a crucial step toward unlocking long-term development benefits. According to him, the airport will not only enhance tourism flows but also stimulate trade, employment, and value addition across multiple sectors.
H.E. Abdallah Mohamad Sultan Alowais, Chairman of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, revealed that the project currently employs more than 1,620 Ugandans and will be implemented in three major phases. He praised the warm reception from local communities and reaffirmed the Chamber’s commitment to long-term investment in Uganda. Local leaders from Karamoja reported increased investor confidence following improved security conditions achieved through the disarmament of cattle rustlers.
Dr. John Baptist Lokii, Minister for Karamoja Affairs-designate, noted that emerging investments such as cement factories, marble processing plants, mining ventures, and the airport itself are redefining the region’s economic landscape. Ms. Olive Birungi Lumonya of the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority confirmed that comprehensive regulatory assessments have been conducted to ensure compliance with international aviation standards.
The Kidepo International Airport project represents a bold step in integrating Karamoja into global economic networks while reinforcing Uganda’s broader vision of sustainable tourism-led growth.
Photo Credit: PPU
