AfDB Backs $180 Million Arua Airport Upgrade in West Nile Sub-Region

Uganda is set to transform Arua Airport into a vital international gateway following a €155.99 million (Shs 677.4 billion) financing approval from the African Development Bank Group. This significant funding will support the first phase of Uganda's Airports Development Programme, focusing on upgrading the northwestern airport to accommodate international passenger and cargo operations.

The strategic location of Arua, approximately 450 kilometers from the capital Kampala, positions it as a crucial link to neighboring South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The expansion project is designed to bolster Uganda's standing as a regional trade and logistics hub, thereby unlocking new market access for domestic exporters and international investors.

Key infrastructure developments include the construction of a 3.5-kilometer runway capable of handling large aircraft like the Boeing 777, new taxiways, aprons, and a passenger terminal projected to serve up to 700,000 travelers annually. Additionally, a dedicated cargo facility with a capacity of 25,000 tonnes per year, a modern control tower, and enhanced safety systems will be integrated.

Mike Salawou, the Bank Group's Director for Infrastructure and Urban Development, emphasized the project's broader impact, stating, "This project is about more than an airport. It is about connecting people to opportunity, opening new markets for businesses, supporting tourism, and strengthening Uganda's role as a regional trade and logistics hub." The Uganda Civil Aviation Authority will manage the implementation, with Director General Fred Bamwesigye highlighting its role in economic transformation and providing an emergency alternative to Entebbe International Airport.

The initiative is also a significant driver for job creation, forecasting around 500 direct jobs during construction and over 1,400 indirect jobs in sectors like tourism, agriculture, and trade. Furthermore, it includes a commitment to providing technical skills training for at least 100 young people, contributing to workforce development in the region.

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This project is about more than an airport. It is about connecting people to opportunity, opening new markets for businesses, supporting tourism, and strengthening Uganda's role as a regional trade and logistics hub.