Kabalega Airport prepares for international certification, to be handed over to govt in March

Kabalega International Airport is going to be officially handed over to the works and transport ministry in March 2026, after the accomplishment of obligations by the contractor, New Vision Online has learnt.

The contractor, SBC, says it is making final touches of fixing the Mobile Air Traffic Control Tower and the ongoing construction of the meteorological structure for the weather monitoring, a requirement by both Uganda and the International Civil Aviation Organisation.

Ministry representative on the project, Eng. Fred Kayima says the facility has been powered by a 2.5 MW hydropower substation with standby generators to ensure availability of power all the time.

Kayima, who on January 9, 2026, hosted a team of experts from his ministry led by Minister Gen. Katumba Wamala, assured that the airport is going to be completed.
“We are in contact with the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA)  in preparation for both local and international certification as required by ICAO,” Kayima said.

He added that they had acquired land for the access and approach roads and the construction works were completed.

However, Katumba suggested solar power at the Airport, mainly for security lights to utilise the area's weather.

The construction of Kabalega International Airport started in 2018, but along the way encountered numerous challenges, including the COVID-19 epidemic that greatly reduced the work progress.

The Airfield is situated on 5.1 square kilometres of land, while the facility itself is on  600 square meters, with a capacity that can handle about four big cargo planes at a go, with over 10 average sized planes.

The construction works were supposed to last for only four years, but were extended for justified reasons.