By Diana N. Kintu
The Government of Uganda has unveiled plans to establish a mega international airport at Nyakisharara, near Mbarara in western Uganda, in a move aimed at positioning the country as a strategic aviation hub connecting South America and Asia.
The ambitious project, endorsed by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, is expected to significantly reduce long-haul flight times and enhance Uganda’s role in international air transport. In a directive issued on 11 February to Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, President Museveni instructed government ministries and agencies to support Base Seven Company in implementing the project under a Build–Operate–Transfer (BOT) framework, with financial backing from international investors Hunnan and Black Rock.
“I am writing to direct you and all concerned government departments to assist a company known as ‘Base Seven Company’ to implement a mega transport project at and around the Government Aerodrome of Nyakisharara, near Mbarara,” the President stated in his letter.
According to the correspondence, the new airport will occupy nearly twice the land area of London Heathrow Airport, one of Europe’s busiest aviation hubs. The development will feature three runways, including two measuring 5.5 kilometres each and a third, reserved for VIP use, measuring 3.7 kilometres. By comparison, Heathrow currently operates two runways measuring 3.9 kilometres and 3.6 kilometres, with plans for a third under consideration.
President Museveni underscored the strategic importance of the project, particularly in reducing flight times between key global regions. “The current route from Brazil to China takes 34 to 42 hours. If a flight were to refuel at Nyakisharara, it would take just 20 hours. The journey from South America to Nyakisharara would take nine hours, and from Nyakisharara to China, 11 hours,” he explained.
The airport will be implemented under a Finance–Build–Operate–Transfer (F-BOT) arrangement, with Hunnan and Black Rock serving as financing partners. Base Seven Company, which will oversee construction, is expected to recover costs through user charges and associated facilities, including hotels, before transferring ownership to the Ugandan government after an agreed period.
The project will require relocation of the Ibanda–Mbarara public road to the east of Nyakisharara. Government ministries and agencies have been tasked with coordinating land acquisition, infrastructure adjustments, and regulatory approvals to ensure smooth implementation.
Once operational, Nyakisharara International Airport will increase Uganda’s total number of international airports to five by 2031, joining Entebbe, Kidepo, Gulu, and Kabalega airports.
Officials emphasised that the project aligns with Uganda’s long-term vision of becoming a regional aviation hub, unlocking new opportunities in trade, tourism, and global connectivity. “This airport is not just an infrastructure project; it is a strategic investment in Uganda’s future as a gateway for international trade and travel,” a senior government official stated.
The development is expected to attract foreign investment, enhance cargo and passenger transport, and bolster Uganda’s competitive advantage in the East African aviation sector. With the project underway, Nyakisharara is poised to become a transformative transport corridor linking Africa to major global markets, further solidifying Uganda’s role in international aviation.