KAMPALA – The government, through the Ministry of Works and Transport, has signed a Shs232 billion contract with Egyptian firm SAMCO National Construction Company Ltd to construct the passenger terminal at Kabalega International Airport in Hoima District, marking a major step toward expanding Uganda’s aviation capacity ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The agreement was signed at the Ministry’s headquarters in Kampala by the Minister of State for Transport, Mr Fred Byamukama, on behalf of Uganda, and Egyptian Ambassador to Uganda, H.E. Sherif Mohamed Abdellattif Elgammal, representing the contractor.
The project carries a strict completion timeline of eight months, underscoring the government’s urgency to prepare key transport infrastructure before Uganda co-hosts AFCON 2027 alongside Kenya and Tanzania. The facility is expected to handle international visitors, sports delegations, and officials, while expanding the airport’s capacity beyond its primary oil and gas cargo mandates.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, Mr Byamukama urged the contractor to maintain high standards and fulfill its obligations without delay or financial impropriety. He emphasized that the project’s success would carry significant reputational weight for the Egyptian contractor.
He cautioned against corruption and administrative bureaucracy that could hinder progress, reassuring the firm that the government would fulfill its financial and operational obligations promptly to allow work to begin immediately.
The Egyptian Ambassador praised the government for conducting what he termed a transparent, merit-based procurement process. He noted that SAMCO brings extensive experience from executing major national infrastructure projects across Egypt, adding that the contract would further solidify bilateral ties between the two nations.
Kabalega International Airport was initially planned under the Ministry of Energy to transport heavy machinery and equipment for oil exploration in the Albertine region. While the primary runway and cargo logistics setups were completed, growing economic demands and strategic national priorities led the government to re-align the facility for commercial passenger traffic under the direct management of the Ministry of Works and Transport and the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA).
Under the revised project framework, UCAA and technical consultants designed the new terminal specifications to align with civil aviation security and operational standards. With the eight-month deadline now active, multi-agency coordination between UCAA, the Ministry of Works, and the contractor will be critical to meeting the delivery schedule.