Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has announced the final plans for the construction of a new international airport in Nyakisharara, Mbarara city. The project, which will be undertaken by Chinese and Brazilian partners, aims to build an airport that meets the standards of Entebbe International Airport. According to President Museveni, the new airport will shorten global routes, saving approximately 15 hours compared to traditional routes through Britain.

The airport’s construction is part of the government’s Party and Term Oriented Delivery initiative, with completion expected by 2030. Once operational, the airport is projected to handle regional and international routes, boosting economic growth in Mbarara city and the surrounding Ankole and Kigezi sub-regions. The new airport is expected to triple Uganda’s economic output, making it a significant development project for the country.

Mbarara City Woman MP Ritah Atukwasa welcomed the announcement, emphasizing the need for complementary infrastructure to support the airport’s operations. She highlighted the importance of extending electricity to areas currently without it, as well as improving roads and security to support the city’s growing hospitality and nightlife sectors. The current airstrip at Nyakisharara, located along the Mbarara-Ibanda highway, will be developed into a full-fledged international airport, creating new opportunities for economic growth and development.

In September, President Museveni met with representatives from Base 7 Aviation International Academy and Hamster Business Solutions, giving the green light to the project. The construction of the new airport is a significant step forward for Uganda’s aviation sector, and its completion is expected to have a positive impact on the country’s economy. With the airport’s projected completion date set for 2030, the government will need to ensure that the necessary infrastructure is in place to support its operations and maximize its potential benefits.