Arua City and the wider West Nile region are set for a major economic transformation after the African Development Bank (AfDB) approved €155.99 million (about Shs650 billion) to upgrade Arua Airport into an international-standard facility.
The massive investment will see the construction of a modern airport capable of handling large aircraft, including the Boeing 777, positioning Arua as a key aviation gateway for Uganda, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The project, which forms Phase One of the Uganda Airports Development Programme, will include a 3.5-kilometre paved runway, a modern passenger terminal capable of handling 700,000 travellers annually, a cargo terminal with capacity for 25,000 tonnes per year, new taxiways, aprons, a control tower, access roads, parking facilities and advanced safety systems.
AfDB’s Director for Infrastructure and Urban Development, Mike Salawou, said the project goes beyond aviation infrastructure.
“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,” he said.
The Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA), which will implement the project, described the development as a major milestone for the country’s aviation sector.
UCAA Director General Fred Bamwesigye said Arua Airport is already Uganda’s second busiest airport after Entebbe and has enormous growth potential.
“The airport will strengthen aviation infrastructure and regional connectivity and is expected to stimulate social and economic transformation for the region,” Bamwesigye said, adding that the facility will also serve as an alternative airport to Entebbe during emergencies.
The upgraded airport is expected to boost tourism, agriculture, trade and investment across West Nile, a region rich in agricultural production, mineral resources and cultural attractions.
More than 500,000 residents of Arua City and District are expected to benefit directly, while the wider West Nile population of over 3.3 million people will gain from improved connectivity and new business opportunities.
The project is also projected to create about 500 direct jobs during construction and more than 1,400 indirect jobs in sectors such as tourism, agriculture and trade, while at least 100 young people will receive skills training in engineering, construction and equipment operations.
With the financing now secured, Arua is preparing for takeoff as Uganda’s newest international aviation hub and a strategic gateway to regional markets.
