Kabalega International Airport Receives First Passenger Aircraft Ahead of January 2027 Opening
Kabalega International Airport in Hoima District, Uganda, reached a significant milestone on 27 September 2026, when it received its first passenger aircraft, providing an operational test of the facility's runway, air traffic control and support systems. The inaugural flights carried officials from the Confederation of African Football (CAF), FIFA and the AFCON Local Organising Committee, ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifier between Uganda Cranes and Libya at Hoima City Stadium. The Libyan national team and Uganda Cranes subsequently arrived at the airport aboard Uganda Airlines.
Minister of Works and Transport Fred Byamukama confirmed that the airport is approximately 99% complete, with the contractor expected to hand over the first phase to the ministry shortly. A second phase - funded by an additional Shs232 billion government commitment - will add a larger passenger terminal to significantly increase handling capacity. The airport, under construction since 2018, features a 3.5-kilometre runway and was originally developed to support Uganda's oil and gas industry in the Albertine region. It is now expected to serve passenger travel, tourism, trade and broader economic activity in Western Uganda, with full commercial operations scheduled to commence in January 2027. The development is directly relevant to Uganda's co-hosting of AFCON 2027 alongside Kenya and Tanzania, with Hoima among the designated tournament venues.
Source: Ministry Of Works and Transport
