Kabalega Airport Air Traffic Control Tower Construction Begins as Project Nears Completion

What the report says

Construction has started on the air traffic control tower at Kabalega International Airport in Kabaale Sub-county, Hoima District, according to Nile Post, clearing one of the last remaining hurdles for the airport’s completion. The tower had been delayed by procurement issues, but the structure has now arrived on site and installation work is under way.

The airport, a major government project intended to support Uganda’s oil and gas sector in the Albertine Graben, also has wider economic aims in agriculture, tourism and regional trade. Nile Post reported that the airport project began in April 2018 and has taken much longer than originally planned, with the overall work now said to be about 98% complete. The project is valued at US$309 million and is being financed by UK Export Finance and Standard Chartered Bank.

According to SBC Uganda Ltd public relations officer Amos Muriisa, the tower should be ready for operations before the end of the year, and the airport is expected to be substantially completed by October 31, 2026, before handover to government in December. The article notes that the tower was manufactured overseas, which contributed to delays.

The airport is being presented by local leaders as an important asset ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, when it is expected to help handle flights carrying players, officials and fans. Hoima District leaders also used the visit to encourage investors to consider nearby industrial opportunities linked to the project.