MBARARA, UGANDA – In a significant move to bolster Uganda’s infrastructure and economic prospects, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has met with a China-based consortium to advance plans for a new international airport at Nyakisharara, near Mbarara.
The high-level meeting solidified the development framework for the project, which will be executed under a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model. This arrangement will see a consortium of major Chinese firms take the lead on the airport’s financing, design, and construction.
President Museveni warmly welcomed the initiative, underscoring its transformative potential for the nation. He highlighted that the airport is a strategic investment designed to stimulate economic growth, create numerous employment opportunities, and unlock the vast potential of the country’s tourism and agricultural sectors. A key pillar of the project, the President emphasized, will be a strong commitment to environmental protection throughout the development process.
Officials project that the Nyakisharara International Airport will serve as a critical hub, significantly strengthening Uganda’s global transit links. By improving access to the country’s western region, it is expected to facilitate easier export of agricultural goods and attract more international tourists to destinations like Lake Mburo National Park and the nearby gorilla trekking circuits.
The project is a cornerstone of the government’s broader strategy to enhance regional connectivity and economic development. If development proceeds according to plan, the new airport could be operational by the year 2030.
