Uganda is entering a new era of economic transformation, global connectivity, and regional integration through strategic investments in aviation infrastructure. The proposed construction of Mbarara International Airport at Nyakisharara marks a pivotal milestone in the nation’s broader development agenda and aligns with President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s Ten-Fold Growth Strategy, a blueprint designed to accelerate industrialization, increase exports, and position Uganda as a leading business hub in Africa.
A Growth Lever for Uganda’s Ten-Fold Strategy
The President’s Ten-Fold Growth Strategy calls for scaling Uganda’s economy through infrastructure-led transformation. World-class aviation facilities are critical to this vision. Mbarara International Airport is projected to generate substantial revenue by facilitating regional and long-haul routes, while catalyzing agricultural exports, industrial investment, and job creation.
With a Build, Operate, and Transfer (BOT) model, the airport will be financed and managed by a consortium of international partners, reducing fiscal pressure on the state while ensuring global standards in design, operation, and sustainability.
Strengthening National and Global Connectivity
Aviation is the backbone of global trade, tourism, and high-value logistics. Uganda has long relied on Entebbe International Airport, its primary aviation gateway, which recently underwent a major modernization to expand capacity and efficiency. Complementing Entebbe is the Kabalega International Airport in Hoima, strategically positioned to support Uganda’s emerging oil and gas industry and facilitate heavy cargo operations.
The planned Mbarara International Airport will extend this aviation network into Western Uganda, unlocking new trade corridors and strengthening Uganda’s integration into global supply chains. Its location at Nyakisharara will connect international travelers, investors, and cargo routes across Latin America, China, Southeast Asia, and Australia, providing unprecedented opportunities for commerce and tourism.
Building a Business Hub in East Africa
Uganda is strategically located at the heart of the East African Community (EAC), a market of over 300 million people. Aviation expansion amplifies Uganda’s positioning as a logistics and investment hub, making Mbarara a future focal point for business conventions, industrial parks, agricultural value chains, and tourism circuits across the region.
Moreover, improved air connectivity supports the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) by lowering transport costs and enhancing access to continental and global markets. For international investors and development partners, Uganda’s aviation growth reflects a clear commitment to long-term economic resilience.
Balancing Growth with Sustainability
As Uganda pursues aviation-led transformation, environmental stewardship remains central. The Mbarara project has been designed with green building principles, ensuring minimal ecological disruption while adopting renewable energy and modern waste management practices. This approach resonates with global priorities on sustainable development and positions Uganda as a responsible player in international aviation.
A Rising Nation Takes Flight
With the renovated Entebbe International Airport, the Kabalega International Airport nearing completion, and the proposed Mbarara International Airport underway, Uganda is on course to build an aviation ecosystem capable of tripling economic output by 2030. These projects collectively serve as anchors for the Ten-Fold Growth Strategy, driving inclusive development and positioning Uganda as one of Africa’s fastest-growing investment and travel destinations.
