By Spy Uganda
After decades of anticipation, lobbying, and delayed promises, the long-awaited transformation of Arua Airfield into an international airport is finally within reach following a major funding breakthrough from the African Development Bank Group (AfDB).
The AfDB Board of Directors on Thursday approved €155.99 million for Phase One of the Uganda Airports Development Programme, paving the way for the modernization of Arua Airfield into a world-class international aviation facility.
The funding package marks a historic milestone for Uganda’s aviation sector and is expected to unlock significant economic, trade, tourism, and investment opportunities for the West Nile sub-region and neighboring countries.
According to the AfDB, the total cost of the first phase of the programme stands at €157.76 million. Financing will be provided through an African Development Bank loan of €141.15 million and an African Development Fund loan of €14.84 million, while the Government of Uganda will contribute €1.77 million in kind.
The project will transform Arua Airfield into a climate-resilient airport built to international standards, featuring a new 3.5-kilometre paved runway capable of accommodating large commercial aircraft, including Boeing 777s.
Other planned infrastructure includes modern taxiways and aircraft aprons, a passenger terminal capable of handling up to 700,000 travelers annually, a cargo terminal with capacity for 25,000 tonnes of freight per year, a new air traffic control tower, improved access roads, parking facilities, and advanced aviation safety systems.
AfDB Director for Infrastructure and Urban Development Mike Salawou described the project as a catalyst for regional transformation.
“This project is about more than an airport. It is about connecting people to opportunity, opening new markets for businesses, supporting tourism, and strengthening Uganda’s role as a regional trade and logistics hub,” Salawou said.
The Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCCA) has consistently ranked Arua as the country’s second busiest airport after Entebbe International Airport, underscoring its strategic importance.
UCCA Director General Fred Bamwesigye welcomed the development, describing it as a major milestone for Uganda’s aviation and economic growth ambitions.
“Arua Airport has immense growth potential. Crucially, the upgraded airport will also serve as a vital alternative to Entebbe International Airport during emergencies. We are highly grateful to the African Development Bank for its invaluable partnership,” Bamwesigye said.
Although currently served primarily by Eagle Air, Arua Airport has experienced steady growth in traffic over the years. Passenger numbers have risen from approximately 10,000 travelers and 1,730 flights in 2008 to an average of 170 aircraft movements per month in 2024, serving more than 12,000 passengers annually.
The funding approval effectively ends years of uncertainty surrounding the airport’s expansion.
Efforts to upgrade the facility have faced numerous setbacks despite government acquiring and compensating nearly all project-affected persons on over 182 acres of land. In 2024, the Ministry of Works and Transport even explored a Build, Operate and Transfer arrangement with private developer East of Eden to bridge financing gaps.
The new AfDB financing now guarantees implementation of the long-awaited project.
Located approximately 19 kilometres from the Democratic Republic of Congo border and 32 kilometres from South Sudan, Arua occupies one of East Africa’s most strategic transport corridors.
The airport is already among Uganda’s select upcountry airports authorized to handle cross-border air traffic within the East African Community, making it a critical gateway for regional commerce.
Experts believe the upgrade will significantly enhance West Nile’s role as a trade, logistics, and manufacturing hub serving both the DRC and South Sudan markets.
Eng. Joel Aita, Senior Advisory Consultant for West Nile Strategic Development, said the airport and the planned Pakwach Logistics Hub will revolutionize cargo movement and industrial development in the region.
“West Nile operates as a special economic zone. An international airport acts as an anchor for manufacturing, mineral processing, and light industries serving the massive DRC and South Sudan markets,” Aita noted.
Beyond improved connectivity, the project is expected to create substantial employment opportunities.
The AfDB estimates that construction activities alone will generate around 500 direct jobs, while more than 1,400 indirect jobs are expected to emerge in tourism, agriculture, trade, and related sectors.
The initiative will also provide specialized training in engineering and equipment operations to at least 100 young people, including women, helping build local technical capacity.
For a region rich in agriculture, minerals, tourism potential, and cross-border commerce, the airport upgrade is widely viewed as a game-changing investment that could accelerate economic transformation and position West Nile as one of Uganda’s fastest-growing economic frontiers.
With funding now secured, residents, investors, and regional leaders who have waited for decades may finally see Arua International Airport become a reality.
