By Karim Were
Karamoja is positioning itself as one of Uganda’s emerging investment destinations following the launch of construction works for the USD 72 million Kidepo International Airport in Karenga District.
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on Friday presided over the groundbreaking ceremony for the airport project, describing it as a major milestone that will unlock tourism, trade, and economic opportunities across the Karamoja sub-region.
Funded by the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the United Arab Emirates, the airport will feature a 3.6-kilometre runway, a 7,408-square-metre passenger terminal, and a 74,200-square-metre cargo terminal, among other aviation facilities. The project is expected to strengthen connectivity to northeastern Uganda and support the region’s growing economic activities.
Speaking at the launch, President Museveni highlighted the transformation of Karamoja from a region once associated with insecurity to an area attracting major international investment. He noted that the presence of Kidepo Valley National Park has become a key driver of development, drawing infrastructure projects that are expected to stimulate growth in tourism and other sectors.
The President praised local communities for providing land for the project and assured residents that the airport would create long-term benefits through increased tourism, business opportunities, employment, and improved infrastructure.
He also encouraged the people of Karamoja to embrace a wider range of income-generating activities beyond traditional livelihoods. Museveni pointed to sectors such as tourism, commercial agriculture, manufacturing, and information and communications technology (ICT) as viable pathways for wealth creation and poverty reduction.
According to the President, Uganda’s tourism industry continues to present significant opportunities, making conservation efforts around Kidepo Valley National Park critical to sustaining future investments.
The project has already created employment opportunities, with Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chairman Abdallah Mohamad Sultan Alowais revealing that 1,620 Ugandans are currently working on the development. Construction will be implemented in three phases.
Karamoja leaders used the occasion to showcase the region’s growing investment portfolio, citing developments in mining, cement production, marble processing, and tourism infrastructure as evidence of increasing investor confidence.
Minister for Karamoja Affairs-designate Dr. John Baptist Lokii said the airport project further strengthens Karamoja’s position as a competitive destination for both local and foreign investors, following years of peace and stability achieved through government-led security interventions.
Officials from the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority confirmed that the necessary regulatory assessments for the airport project have been undertaken, paving the way for implementation.
Once completed, Kidepo International Airport is expected to enhance access to one of Uganda’s premier tourism destinations while serving as a catalyst for broader economic development across the Karamoja sub-region.
