Kabalega International Airport in Uganda's Hoima district successfully handled its first passenger flights on Sunday, marking a significant milestone in the country's preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon). The flights were part of a test to assess the airport's readiness for the tournament. An Eagle Air flight carrying officials from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and members of the local organising committee landed at the airport on Sunday morning.
The Libyan national team arrived at the airport at 10:30 am aboard an Eagle Uganda-operated aircraft, ahead of their Afcon qualifier against the Uganda Cranes at Hoima City Stadium on Tuesday. The Libyan players were then transported by road to Hoima City, where they will stay ahead of the match. This was followed by the arrival of the Uganda Cranes team aboard a Uganda Airlines aircraft. These successive flights provided a practical test of the airport's readiness to host competitive international football fixtures.
The flights were organised by the government to test the facility and demonstrate its preparedness ahead of its official commissioning, according to Works and Transport minister Fred Byamukama. The development is significant as Uganda prepares to co-host the 2027 Afcon finals with Kenya and Tanzania. As a host nation, Uganda has an automatic place at the finals, but the Cranes are participating in the qualifiers to maintain competitive readiness.
The Hoima fixture marks a new phase in the decentralisation of national-team football, being the first competitive international match involving the Cranes outside the Kampala metropolitan area, apart from CECAFA Championship matches. This development is also expected to boost the local economy, particularly in the Albertine region, where Uganda is preparing for commercial oil production. The airport's strategic location will support the movement of personnel, equipment, and cargo for the oil and gas industry.
Kabalega Airport, which started construction in April 2018, has been financed through Standard Chartered Bank. The facility features a 3.5-kilometre-long, 45-metre-wide runway, cargo terminal, fire station, control tower, apron, taxiway, and passenger terminal, as well as navigation and communication systems and air-rescue firefighting facilities. It is designed to accommodate up to four cargo aircraft simultaneously.
The contractor, a joint venture between Israeli-British firms Shikun & Binui International and Colas Limited, reported in August that construction was 98 per cent complete and that the airport was expected to be handed over to the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority by the end of October. The remaining major works at the time included installation of the air traffic control system.
Kabalega Airport is being tested alongside Hoima City Stadium, another major facility being prepared for the Afcon tournament. The 20,000-seater stadium in Kyarwiru Cell, Hoima East Division, was constructed by SUMMA at a reported cost of $129 million. The facility, financed through Uganda's Petroleum Fund, includes VVIP facilities, an indoor arena, swimming pool, modern changing rooms and gyms, basketball and volleyball courts, media facilities, a hybrid pitch, and a video assistant referee (VAR) room.
Key points
- The successful handling of the passenger flights demonstrates Kabalega Airport's readiness to support Uganda's hosting of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
- The airport's strategic location will support the movement of personnel, equipment, and cargo for the oil and gas industry in the Albertine region.
- The Hoima fixture marks a new phase in the decentralisation of national-team football in Uganda.
