For several years, the West Nile sub-region has been stared at as one of Uganda’s most strategic but underutilized economic borderline.
Notwithstanding its strategic location and huge economic potential, inadequate air transport infrastructure has restricted investment, tourism, and international trade.
This account could soon be converted with the ongoing plans to upgrade Arua Aerodrome into an international airport capable of handling larger passenger and cargo aircraft.
Local leaders, business entrepreneurs, and aviation authorities have repeatedly recognized Arua as a key regional aviation hub, citing its location near South Sudan and the DRC, Central African Republic (CAR) and Europe and its potential to serve both passenger and cargo traffic.
For locals, business owners, farmers, and tourism operators across West Nile, the airport represents more than just a transport facility. It is viewed as a reagent for the economic revolution of the sub-region.
A strategic commercial hub for regional trade
West Nile remains a strategic commercial nucleus linking Uganda to markets in eastern Congo and South Sudan.
Daily, several trucks are loaded with agricultural products, manufactured goods from Jinja, Soroti, Kampala, and consumer merchandise through the region destined for neighboring countries.
An international airport would considerably reduce transportation costs and travel time for traders and investors. Instead of moving goods over long distances to Entebbe for export, producers would be able to access international markets directly from West Nile.
The hope
On June 18, the African Development Bank Group’s Board of Directors announced funding of 155. 99 million Euros (Shs650 billion) for the project in order to transform regional air transport and unlock economic opportunities including tourism.
The financing will upgrade the Arua Airport into an international-standard facility, under Phase 1 of the Uganda Airports Development Programme.
The Bank Group’s Director for the Infrastructure and Urban Development Department, Mike Salawou, said: ‘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.’
Details of the loan
Of the total programme cost of pound 157.76 million, the Bank Group will provide an African Development Bank loan of pound 141.15 million, and a pound 14.84-million loan from the African Development Fund, the Group’s concessional lending arm. The Government of Uganda will provide an in-kind contribution of pound 1.77 million.
It aims to improve domestic and regional connectivity through safer, more efficient and climate-resilient aviation infrastructure.
According to AfDB, it will involve the construction of a 3.5-kilometre paved runway capable of handling large aircraft such as the Boeing 777; new taxiways and aprons; a passenger terminal with capacity for 700,000 travelers annually, and a cargo terminal designed to handle 25,000 tonnes per annum.
It will also have a new control tower, access roads, car parking and modern safety systems.
The Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCCA) Director General, Mr Fred Bamwesigye, branded the Arua airport a ‘significant development for Uganda, which will strengthen aviation infrastructure and regional connectivity, and is expected to stimulate social and economic transformation for the region.’
‘Arua Airport is currently the second busiest in the country after Entebbe International Airport and has immense growth potential,’ Bamwesigye said.
He added that: ‘The airport will also serve as an alternative to Entebbe International Airport during emergencies. We are highly grateful to the African Development Bank for its invaluable partnership and support in this transformative project.’
Reacting to the AfDB funding, the former Ayivu County MP, Mr Bernard Atiku, told the Monitor on Sunday this was the greatest news of all time for the people of West Nile.
‘The fact that the AfDB has finally approved this funding is a confirmation that the government through the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development has ticked all the boxes to qualify for this loan facility.’
Mr Atiku added: ‘All our eyes and ears are now focused on the Minister of Finance presenting the Loan Request before Parliament for consideration and approval. I am therefore certain that the President is about to fulfill his long awaited promise to develop Arua Aerodrome to an International Airport.’
He said they would follow the developing stories concerning all matters regarding this loan facility because it is a major infrastructure financial support.
Commenting on the development, a businessman in Arua City, Mr Salim Adiga, this will be a new page for the city once its work is completed.
‘Because this will boost our economic muscle. We have honey that can be exported and other agricultural products that we have in the region.’
The Senior Advisory Consultant for West Nile Strategic Development, Eng. Joel Aita, said: ‘Arua Airport international upgrade and Pakwach Logistics Hub – unlocking air freight, cold chain, and multimodal connectivity for regional trade.’
He said West Nile being a special economic zone, it would anchor a tenant for manufacturing, mineral processing, and light industry serving the DRC and South Sudan markets that can be transported through the Airport.
How the airport is an opportunity to agricultural products
West Nile is endowed with fertile soils and favorable climatic conditions that support agriculture. Farmers produce a wide range of crops including coffee, cassava, maize, tobacco, beans, simsim, fruits, vegetables, and oil seeds.
The Policy Analyst in Zombo district, Mr Sam Kumakech, said: ‘We have a huge percentage of coffee that can be exported since it is in high demand on the global market. In Pakwach, Panyimur and parts of Obongi and Moyo, there is fishing that is being done. So, the fish products can be exported.’
Uganda already exports products such as fresh fish, fruits, vegetables, and other perishables through air freight.
An upgraded Arua Airport could therefore become a major export point for Coffee from Zombo, Nebbi and Arua, Honey from across the districts, processed fish products, passion fruits, among others.
Tourism ready for takeoff
West Nile enjoys unique tourism assets like the Ajai Game Reserve that is being stocked with White Rhinos and other wildlife, the undulating mountains and caves across the region, birding and hiking, the cultural sites among others that remain largely untapped can be a boost for the airport.
A tourist flying into Entebbe and travelling by road to West Nile often spends several hours (about 10 hours) on the road. But with a plane, it takes only 45 minutes to fly from Entebbe to Arua airport.
This potentially shortens the travel times and improves visitor convenience.
Development planners have consistently highlighted aviation infrastructure as a key driver for tourism growth in Uganda’s regions. Upgrading Arua Airport is expected to strengthen tourism access and connectivity.
Hotel owners also expect increased business. Ms Jennifer Alice, a hotel owner in Arua City, said: ‘This will lift our businesses because if more people fly in here for research, work, business or tourism related activities. Even with the few who fly here, we have been getting some money already.’
She noted: ‘If the airspace is open to more cargo flights, then this will boost the morale of our farmers to produce goods in bulk. This will certainly widen the market for the products because people like organic food.’
Across the world, airports encourage the development of industrial parks, logistics centres, warehouses, hotels, and commercial districts.
These neighboring markets present enormous opportunities for trade and investment where an international airport would facilitate cross-border business travel, influence regional conferences, boost humanitarian operations-coupled with the thousands of refugees being hosted in the sub-region, it would boost export trade and investment missions among the countries.
The plan for an international airport in Arua has existed for years. Its upgrade that has been delayed, started way back in 2008.
About the Airport
The airport is located only 12 miles (19 km) from Uganda’s border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo and about 20 miles (32 km) from the border between Uganda and South Sudan. Its location is approximately 371 kilometres (231 mi), by air, northwest of Entebbe International Airport, Uganda’s largest airport.
The Foundation stone was laid by the then President of Zaire, Mobutu Sese Seko Kuku Ngbendu wa Zabanga on 15th July 1973 on invitation of Uganda’s President Gen Idi Amin.
Recent support from government and development partners has renewed optimism that the project could finally become a reality. If completed, the airport will do more than connect planes to runways.
A region described as the doorway to Central Africa, Arua International Airport could become the engine that propels West Nile into a new era of economic growth, regional trade, and tourism development.
The people hoped that soon, the skies of West Nile would carry more than aircraft-they may carry aspirations of an entire sub-region ready for takeoff.
HOW ARUA AIRPORT IS A BUSINESS HUB
In 2017, there were 1,804 aircraft movements with 12,154 passengers handled
In 2018, there were 2,298 aircraft movements with 12,957 passengers handled
In 2019, there were 1,994 aircraft movements with 11,284 passengers handled
In 2020, there were 631 aircraft movements with 3,106 passengers handled
From January to September 2021, there were 712 aircraft movements with 2,368 passengers handled.