“Peace is bringing development to Karamoja. Investors are now coming because there is security, and our people must take advantage of opportunities in tourism, commercial agriculture, manufacturing and ICT to improve their incomes and livelihoods,” Museveni said
By Denish Ongora
KARENGA – 5th June 2026. President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has officially launched the construction of Kidepo International Airport in Karenga District, Karamoja Sub-region, in a major infrastructure project expected to boost tourism, trade and investment in Northern Uganda.
The airport project, estimated to cost over 72 million US dollars, approximately 269 billion Uganda shillings, is being funded by the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry from the United Arab Emirates.
The planned airport will feature a 3.6-kilometer runway, a 7,408 square meter passenger terminal, a 74,200 square meter cargo terminal, alongside other aviation facilities aimed at positioning Karamoja as a regional economic and tourism hub.
Speaking during the launch, President Museveni said the airport would open Karamoja to international tourism and investment opportunities, particularly through the Kidepo Valley National Park, which he described as one of Africa’s most attractive tourism destinations.
The President commended the people of Karenga District for voluntarily offering land for the project, noting that the airport will create employment opportunities, improve infrastructure and stimulate economic growth through tourism, wildlife conservation and trade.
Museveni also urged residents of Karamoja to embrace government’s four key sectors for wealth creation namely commercial agriculture, tourism, manufacturing and information communication technology.
“Peace is bringing development to Karamoja. Investors are now coming because there is security, and our people must take advantage of opportunities in tourism, commercial agriculture, manufacturing and ICT to improve their incomes and livelihoods,” Museveni said
He emphasized the importance of protecting tourism resources around Kidepo National Park, noting that the global tourism industry is currently valued at over 11.6 trillion US dollars.
The President further assured investors from the United Arab Emirates and other international partners of a growing market in Uganda and Africa, saying the continent’s population is expected to rise significantly over the next decades, creating more demand for goods and services.
Museveni also highlighted the achievements made in Karamoja following the disarmament exercise, saying improved peace and security have created room for development and investment in the sub-region.
He revealed that government plans to expand the construction of communal water dams and support individual farmers to establish water sources for livestock as part of efforts to modernize agriculture and livestock farming in Karamoja.
The President cautioned communities against nomadic pastoralism and encouraged settled farming practices to improve household incomes.
The minister for Karamoja Affairs – designate Dr. John Baptist Lokii said cement factories, marble factories, mines and Kidepo International Airport among others have launched Karamoja Sub region among other most attractive investment destinations in the country.
Olive Birungi Lumonya the Deputy Director General of the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority revealed that extensive technical studies, environmental and social impact assessments, master planning and engineering designs have already been completed, confirming the site as suitable for operational efficiency, aviation safety and future expansion.
The airport is planned as a Code 4E international airport with provision for future upgrade to Code 4F standards and will accommodate large aircraft including the Boeing 777-200ER, Boeing 747 and Airbus A330-340 series. The 3,000-meter runway with 60-meter width and additional shoulders will support both regional and international flights.
Birungi added that the project will create economic opportunities, boost tourism and improve regional integration, while also updating the President on ongoing upgrades of Arua, Gulu, Jinja, Kasese and Kabalega airports. Appreciation was extended to the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry for partnering with Uganda on the project.
The Chairperson of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Abdallah Mohamad Sultan Alowais, said the project is being implemented in three phases and currently employs more than 1,600 Ugandans.
He commended the people of Karenga District for warmly welcoming and supporting the project.
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