Construction works at Kabalega International Airport in Hoima District have reached 98% completion, with the facility expected to be handed over to the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) by October 31, 2026.
The remaining major component of the airport, the Air Traffic Control Tower, is currently under construction and is expected to be completed within the next three weeks, according to the contractor.
Amos Muriisa, the Public Relations Officer of SBC Uganda, the company undertaking the construction works, said the delayed completion of the control tower was the only outstanding issue preventing the airport from becoming fully operational.
“The Air Traffic Control Tower delayed the project, but it is already on site, and we are working on it,” Muriisa said.
He added that once the control tower is fully installed, the airport will become operational and begin handling flights.
“This is the only remaining component required to make the airport operational. We hope that by October 31, we shall hand over the airport to the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority,” he said.
Muriisa said the control tower installation is expected to be completed by the end of August, expressing confidence that the project will meet the revised handover timeline.
He made the remarks on Wednesday while briefing a delegation comprising officials from the Judiciary, Bank of Uganda and Uganda Revenue Authority, who are visiting oil and gas operational areas in the Albertine Graben to gain insights into the sector.
According to Muriisa, once completed, Kabalega International Airport will be capable of handling heavy cargo operations critical to Uganda’s oil and gas industry. The facility will accommodate up to four cargo aircraft carrying equipment for oil and gas infrastructure at the same time.
The airport is expected to support logistics operations for the Kabalega Industrial Park and facilitate the movement of personnel, equipment and cargo required for commercial oil production in the Albertine Graben.
Muriisa also revealed plans to construct an additional passenger terminal ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), with completion expected by mid-2027 to cater for increased passenger traffic during the tournament.
Construction of Kabalega International Airport commenced in 2018, with completion initially scheduled for 2021. However, the project timeline was extended due to several setbacks, including disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and challenges in securing additional funding.
The contractor, SBC, suspended construction in February 2023, citing financial difficulties after the required additional funding of Shs126 billion had not been provided to complete the outstanding works.
The USD309 million airport, funded through Standard Chartered Bank, is set to become Uganda’s second international airport after Entebbe International Airport.
Upon completion, it will serve as a major support facility for Uganda’s oil and gas sector in the Albertine Graben, enabling easier movement of equipment, cargo and workers involved in the industry.
