The government has started the process of setting up an international airport in the northwestern region of the east African country.
Uganda currently has one international airport at Entebbe, with a second one under construction in the western region-based oil city of Hoima.
Kabalega International Airport is expected to be completed this year ahead of commercial oil production slated for 2025.
Now officials say the government has already signed a memorandum of Understanding with M/s East of Eden to undertake a feasibility study at the Arua city-based airport.
“Arua Airport to be developed into an international airport under build, operate and transfer model,” the ministry noted in a tweet.
“Works and transport minister Gen Katumba Wamala has today signed an MoU with the investor following approval by the Solicitor General,” the Feb. 28 tweet added.
An international airport in West Nile will come in handy given its location next to South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The three countries belong to the East African Community, with a visa-free policy for their citizens.
The developments come at the heels of Uganda’s Central Bank announcing that the country’s trade surplus with DRC had hit $53m in January, its highest in the region.
This was followed by South Sudan at $41.68m and Rwanda at $23.1m. With the coming of the international airport next to the border points, transport will become easier, cutting travel time by more than a half into the eastern cities of DRC.
Already Uganda and DRC are jointly constructing several roads that run to a number of towns in the latter, easing movement of cargo.
