Uganda has finalised an agreement with a business consortium from the United Arab Emirates to construct a new international airport, as announced by President Yoweri Museveni’s office on Friday.
This strategic pact marks the expansion of the UAE’s economic footprint in East Africa, extending beyond its existing investments in renewable energy, oil, and gas sectors. The Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry is set to oversee the development of the airport, which will be located just outside the Kidepo National Park in the northeast, near Uganda’s border with Kenya.
Abdallah Sultan Al Owais, chairman of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, confirmed that construction is slated to commence in August. The project is anticipated to significantly bolster Uganda’s tourism sector by attracting more visitors to the 1,442-square-kilometre Kidepo National Park, renowned for its populations of lions, giraffes, buffaloes, and other big game.
In a statement, President Museveni highlighted the agreement as indicative of the deepening relations with Gulf partners and underscored its potential to enhance cooperation in investment and trade. “This is a sign of the deepening relations with our Gulf partners and another opportunity to co-operate in investment and trade,” Museveni stated in a post on X.
The new airport will be Uganda’s third international aviation hub, signalling a notable advancement in the nation’s infrastructure and its appeal as a tourist destination. The specific financial details of the deal have yet to be disclosed.
