President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has officially launched the construction of Kidepo International Airport, a major infrastructure project expected to boost tourism, improve regional connectivity, and unlock investment opportunities in Uganda’s Karamoja sub-region.
The groundbreaking ceremony was held on Friday in Karenga District, near Kidepo Valley National Park, one of Africa’s leading wildlife destinations. The airport will become Uganda’s third international airport after Entebbe International Airport and Kabalega International Airport.
Once completed, the facility will feature a 3,500-metre runway capable of accommodating large aircraft, including the Boeing 777, significantly improving access to northeastern Uganda and enhancing the country’s aviation capacity.
The airport project originates 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, which paved the way for the project’s implementation under a public-private partnership arrangement.
Officials said the airport is designed to handle up to two million passengers annually and will serve as a key gateway to the Karamoja region, an area with significant tourism, trade, and investment potential.
Tourism industry players expect the development to transform access to Kidepo Valley National Park by enabling direct international travel to the region, reducing travel time and making northern Uganda more attractive to tourists from Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and the Americas.
The improved connectivity is also expected to stimulate investment in hotels, lodges, transport services, and other tourism-related enterprises, creating jobs and expanding economic opportunities for local communities.
Beyond tourism, government officials say the airport will support trade, attract investors, and strengthen Uganda’s position as an emerging aviation hub in East Africa.
The project aligns with Uganda’s Vision 2040 development strategy, which identifies transport infrastructure as a key driver of economic transformation, regional integration, and private-sector growth.
Speaking at the ceremony, President Museveni described the airport as a strategic investment that will accelerate socio-economic development in Karamoja and improve the region’s integration into national and international markets.
The President said improved transport infrastructure remains essential for attracting investment, supporting tourism growth, and creating employment opportunities for Ugandans.
With construction now underway, Kidepo International Airport is expected to become a major catalyst for economic growth in northern Uganda while strengthening the country’s tourism and aviation sectors.