PRESIDENT MUSEVENI LAUNCHES CONSTRUCTION WORKS FOR KIDEPO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has today launched construction
works for Kidepo International Airport in Karenga District, in a move
intended to boost tourism, trade and investment in Karamoja sub-region.

Kidepo International Airport construction is funded by Sharjah Chamber
of Commerce and Industry from United Arab Emirates (UAE) and its
estimated to cost over USD 72 million with major facilities including a 3.6
kilometer runway, 7408 square meter passenger terminal, 74200 square
meter cargo terminal, among other expansive aviation facilities.

During the launch, President Museveni revealed to residents of Karenga
and the entire Karamoja subregion the opportunities for hosting an
international airport in the area and expounded on tourism potential and
viability of Kidepo Valley National Game Park that has so far attracted
direct investment for infrastructure like the international airport with span
benefits to yet other untapped sectors in the area.

“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.

President Museveni also commended communities in Karenga District-
near Kidepo National Park for volunteering to offer land to host the
International Airport project and he assured them of immense
developments and returns from the project through tourism and wildlife
conservation, trade, among other opportunities.

On the other hand, he tasked the people of Karamoja to broaden their
scope of commercial enterprise selection in the four viable sectors
mapped out by the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government
for wealth creation and poverty alleviation.

Citing the global tourism sector performance currently rated at 11.6
trillion USD under the services sector, commercial agriculture,
Manufacturing and ICT, President Museveni noted that the scope of
options for investment is wide enough to allow people change from their
traditional and subsistence activities that have stunted their incomes.

He further affirmed the governments resolve to protect such profitable
sectors like tourism and advised people residing near Kidepo National
Park to adhere to the government's strategic guidance for tourism
conservation.

“Please lets know what is good for our country Uganda. Services are
very important in modern economies,” President Museveni stated.
Furthermore, President Museveni tipped global investors on the growing
investment options in Africa and Uganda in particular including a
widening market for products.

He commended Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry for opting
to invest in Uganda and assured them of returns on their investments
with ready market.

H.E Abdallah Mohamad Sultan Alowais, the Chairman of Sharjah
Chamber of Commerce and Industry disclosed the scope of the project
that currently employs 1,620 Ugandans which is planned to be
implemented through three consistent phases.

He commended residents of Karenga district for welcoming and
supporting the project.

Leaders from Karamoja sub region reported to President Museveni the
growing investment trends in the area following the restoration of peace
and stability through the disarmament process of cattle rustlers.

The minister for Karamoja Affairs – designate, Dr. John Baptist Lokii
mentioned cement factories, marble factories, mines and Kidepo
International Airport, among others, as some of the investments already
set in Karamoja and highlighted the sub region as an attractive
investment destination.

Ms. Olive Birungi Lumonya, the Deputy Director General of the Uganda
Civil Aviation Authority outlined regulatory assessments conducted on
the Kidepo International Airport project.