President Museveni has said the Kidepo International Airport project in Karenga District will transform the Karamoja sub-region by boosting tourism, trade, and investment once completed.
Speaking during the launch of construction works on Friday, Museveni said the airport is being funded by the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and is estimated to cost more than $72 million (Shs274 billion).
He said the project will include major infrastructure such as a 3.6-kilometre runway, a 7,408-square-metre passenger terminal, and a 74,200-square-metre cargo terminal, among other aviation facilities.
Museveni said the development highlights the tourism potential of Kidepo Valley National Park and its surrounding areas, noting that such investments demonstrate growing confidence in the region’s economic viability.
“Now, Kidepo, which you wanted to destroy with goats, sheep and donkeys, is now bringing you this investment here, an airport like Entebbe Airport,” he said.
He commended communities in Karenga District for voluntarily offering land for the airport project and said they stand to benefit through tourism, wildlife conservation, trade, and other economic opportunities.
The President also urged residents of Karamoja to embrace broader commercial activities aligned with government priorities in agriculture, manufacturing, services, and ICT, saying these sectors offer pathways out of subsistence livelihoods.
He noted that the global tourism industry is valued at about 11.6 trillion USD and said Uganda should position itself to benefit from this expanding sector through infrastructure and conservation.
Museveni further emphasized the need to protect tourism assets such as Kidepo Valley National Park, urging communities near the park to align with conservation policies to safeguard long-term benefits.
“Please let’s know what is good for our country Uganda. Services are very important in modern economies,” he said.
He also highlighted growing investor interest in Uganda and Africa, assuring international partners of a favourable investment climate and returns.
Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chairman Abdallah Mohamad Sultan Alowais said the project has already created 1,620 jobs for Ugandans and will be implemented in three phases.
He praised local communities for supporting the development and facilitating its progress.
Leaders from the Karamoja sub-region said the area is experiencing increased investment following improved peace and stability after disarmament efforts targeting cattle rustling.
Minister for Karamoja Affairs-designate John Baptist Lokii cited cement factories, marble plants, mining ventures, and the airport project as evidence of rising investor confidence in the region.
Uganda Civil Aviation Authority Deputy Director General Olive Birungi Lumonya said regulatory assessments have already been conducted to guide the project’s development.