Having dreamed of a state of art international airport, Uganda is yet to enjoy from its sweat. The government of Uganda earlier proposed to have a second airport that would complement the congested Entebbe International airport which has singlehandedly received all the air travels to Uganda over the years.
The good news is; According to SBC Uganda, a site contractor in charge of the project, the construction of Uganda’s Hoima International Airport in Kabaale, Hoima district, is now 21% complete.
The project which is partly funded by the United Kingdom Export Finance (UKEF) and Standard Chartered is proximated to be fully complete by 2022.
According to the site contractor, the work so far done encompasses earthworks for a runway that involved digging up and compaction of soil up to 27 meters from the ground to guarantee an absolutely firm foundation on to which the run way will sit.
In April 2018, a number of construction companies were mandated to commence the construction works of the $294m Airport project.
These companies included SBC Uganda Limited, a joint venture company between United Kingdom’s Colas Limited and a subsidiary of Israel’s Shikun and Binui namely SBI International Holdings of Uganda.
These companies were mandated to undertake works that involved carrying out of earthwork and drainage activities, paving a 3.5 kilometers (11,000 ft.) of runways, building of electro-mechanical systems, pouring of cement and asphalt, building communications and navigation systems, construction of an air traffic control tower, a cargo terminal, additional residencies and service structures.
More involved in the project is construction of a multi-purpose terminal building for cargo and passengers, a control tower, an airfield ground lighting system, a fire station, car parking lot, access roads, taxiway, perimeter fence and electrical center, among many other complementary facilities.
Civil Aviation Authority’s manager for public affairs Vianney Luggya while speaking after a tour of the site commented that the first phase of construction which includes the runway and cargo-handling facilities, is expected to be ready by next year.
This phase is specifically to support the construction of the oil refinery due to the runway’s capability to handle big and heavy aircrafts.
“In 2022, the second phase of construction shall be delivered. This phase emphasizes on the facilitation of passengers. It shall therefore boost tourism and business especially in the agricultural sector,” he added.
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