President Yoweri Museveni on Friday officially launched the construction works for upgrading the Jinja Airfield in Jinja city.
This is seen as a transformative project to bolster Uganda’s infrastructure, enhance tourism, and improve regional connectivity.
The project will see the development of the airfield’s runway, taxiway, and apron into international standards. ;
The upgrade, spearheaded by a joint venture between Gofar Investment and MJ Engineers and Contractors, began in 2024 and is set to be completed within 15 months.
The government has committed sh23b through the Ministry of Works and Transport to fund the airfield’s development. ;
Ministers, MPs, aviation officers, as well as local and religious leaders attended the launch.
Museveni emphasized the strategic importance of the project, highlighting Jinja’s potential as a transportation hub and a gateway for tourists.
“Constructing and expanding the airfield is logical. It will enable tourists to reach their destinations on time and ease transportation for both people and goods,” he said.
The President also noted that Uganda has transformed from a struggling economy with limited infrastructure in 1986 to a dynamic nation on the path to industrialization today. ;
He outlined the government’s broader vision of rehabilitating and expanding airfields, and railway stations, and even introducing water transport to reduce road congestion and crashes.
Uganda is also building pipelines to Kenya and Tanzania to eliminate the need to transport petroleum products by road.
Museveni stressed the importance of air travel for high-value tourists who prefer swift journeys. ;
With this in mind, he revealed plans to establish an international airport in Kidepo National Park to enhance access to Uganda’s pristine wildlife destinations.
He also reaffirmed his support for Jinja’s airfield project, calling it a key step toward positioning Jinja as a critical link in the country’s transportation network.
First Deputy Prime Minister, Rebecca Kadaga, appealed to the President for an additional 10 acres of land to further expand the airfield and accommodate the growing demands of an international airport.
She said the people of Jinja have long dreamed of such an airport, and that this project brings them closer to that vision.
On his part, works and transport state minister, Fred Byamukama, spoke of the project’s potential to enhance tourism. ;
He said tourists face challenges traveling from Kampala to Jinja by road and that the airfield’s upgrade will significantly boost the tourism sector.
Byamukama assured Ugandans that the ministry is committed to ensuring the project’s timely and successful completion.
