Oil airport in Hoima to operate without fixed control tower

By George Bussinge

In February 2018, SBC Uganda Ltd commenced the construction of Hoima International Airport and the initial handover was expected in February 2023 but has since been postponed to a further date.

In January 2018, the UK lenders were identified as Standard Chartered Bank with guarantees from the United Kingdom Export Finance. The two were expected to lend Uganda 307 million Euros.

According to the Senior Engineer from the Ministry of Works and Transport, Fred Kayima, the government has already informed the Ministry of Works and Transport that they don’t have funds to construct a fixed control tower and they will opt for a mobile tower as they look for more resources.

He says, once they get the money in future they will construct the control tower in Phases.

However, the Hoima Resident District Commissioner, Emmy Katera, says the remaining part is more important because it cannot be called an international airport without a control tower.

The RDC has further revealed that there are some people who are trying to fail this project in order to get another company to finish the job in order to get kickbacks.

The Bugahya County Member of Parliament, Pius Wakabi Rujumba, says this is a matter of national concern and he is going to present it before Parliament for intervention.

Nicholas Musinguzi, a concerned citizen from Hoima City wonders how an international airport can operate without a fixed control tower.

He wants the government to do everything in its power to clear this mess.

Air Traffic Control Services (ATC) Systems are the Central Nervous System of Aviation Communications.

Kabaale International Airport is part of the infrastructure under construction as Uganda prepares to develop its nascent oil and Gas industry.

When completed, it would be Uganda’s second international airport besides Entebbe International Airport.