Ugandans have expressed mixed reactions to the progress of Kabalega International Airport, Uganda’s upcoming second international airport, located in Hoima. The Ministry of Works recently shared photos of the airport’s development, stating that Phase 1, which began in 2018, is now 96.1% complete, with the overall project set for completion by August 13, 2025.
The Kabalega International Airport is expected to be a crucial infrastructure asset, with benefits anticipated for Uganda’s emerging petroleum industry as well as the tourism and agricultural sectors.
The project is being carried out by SBC (Uganda) Ltd, a joint venture of SBI International Holdings AG and Colas UK. Funding for the airport is structured with 85% financed by UK Export Finance (UKEF) and 15% by Standard Chartered Bank, at a contract cost of Shs1.2 trillion.
Key elements of the first phase include a 3,500-meter runway with a width of 45 meters and additional 15-meter shoulders on each side, a 75,000-square-meter platform designed to accommodate four Antonov 124 or Boeing 747-8 aircraft, a cargo terminal, a rescue and firefighting building, a fuel farm, airport ground lighting, a mobile air traffic control tower, access roads, parking facilities, and power and water supply.
According to the Ministry of Works, an additional Shs76 billion is required to complete the remaining project activities under the Operational Readiness, Activation, and Transition (ORAT) phase.
The recent project images have drawn a mixed response from the public. Some Ugandans have praised the work done so far, while others have voiced concerns about the apparent difference between the architectural renderings and the actual structures built.
One social media user commented, “We’ve seen the small building; now show us the main building you promised. Don’t make us celebrate over something minor when the main structure is what we were waiting for.”
Another user added, “The as-built Kabalega International Airport differs from the design drawings due to adjustments in construction materials, layout changes, cost constraints, safety regulations, and environmental considerations that impacted the final construction.”
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