The announcement gained significant momentum following a series of high-level meetings at State House Entebbe in late 2025 and early 2026.
Strategic Vision: The airport is designed to be a “mega-hub” comparable in scale to Entebbe International Airport. It is uniquely positioned as a transit link for routes between China and South America (specifically Brazil), as well as Australia and Indonesia.
The Model: The project will follow a Build, Operate, and Transfer (BOT) model.
Development Partners: A consortium of Chinese and international firms is leading the development:
Construction: Hunan Construction and Investment Engineering Company.
Design: China Southwest Architectural Design and Research Institute.
Financing: Blackrock Uwekeza.
Economic Impact: Projections shared by consultants suggest the airport could potentially triple Uganda’s economic output by facilitating agricultural exports (like beef, dairy, and coffee) and boosting tourism in the Western region.
The President highlighted that Nyakisharara was selected because it “shortens global routes.” Specifically, the government claims the new route could save up to 15 hours on certain international flights compared to traditional transit routes through Europe.
While the project has official backing, it has sparked significant discussion:
Infrastructure Support: Local leaders, including Mbarara City Woman MP Ritah Atukwasa, have emphasized that for the airport to succeed, the government must also invest in reliable electricity, tarmac roads, and security for the surrounding areas.
Expert Skepticism: Some aviation analysts have raised questions regarding the economic logic of a third international airport (after Entebbe and the nearly-complete Kabalega Airport in Hoima), warning of a potential dilution of air traffic.
