New Entebbe Airport to Handle 3.5 Million Passengers a Year after End of upgrade in July 2024 – UCAA
By The Public Lens
Entebbe International Airport, Uganda’s primary gateway to the outside world is currently undergoing a comprehensive upgrade and expansion scheduled for completion by end of July this year.
This project that is led by the China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) and aimed at including the construction of a new terminal building and the expansion of aprons is nearing completion.
The entire new terminal project with the ability to accommodate more parked aircrafts will significantly increase the airport’s capacity and efficiency, paving the way for enhanced connectivity and potential boost tourism.
In addition to the apron expansion, the airport when finally done will also see the completion of a new cargo center, and the resurfacing of runways and associated taxiways. These improvements are a part of a concerted effort to modernize Uganda’s aviation infrastructure and align it with international standards.
Fred K. Bamwesigye, the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) Director General, on Friday, April 19, 2024 during a press conference held to showcase the on-going works at the Airport, revealed that the ongoing works are 90% complete, and that when finally done the air port will be in position to handle 3.5 million passengers a year.
“On completion of the new terminal building, the capacity will be enhanced from the previous maximum capacity of 2 million passengers a year to at least 3.5 million,” he said, adding: “The new facilities and on-going projects are meant to address the growing traffic.”
He noted that the Authority completed the Modified Terminal building and opened it to the public on January 10, 2024 and that the facility ably facilitated delegates to the NAM/G77+ China Summit.
He said the car parking was resurfaced and completed in March 2023 and currently the airport continues to facilitate arriving and departing passengers in a bigger and more ambient environment.
“As part of the project for upgrade and expansion of Entebbe International Airport, the major remaining project is the completion of a new 20,000 square meters terminal building, which is connecting to the existing terminal building. Overall, the project works are at 90% level of completion. The other pending works include expansion of Apron 1, which is at 95% level of completion,” Bamwesigye said.
Bamwesigye noted that earlier this month, Entebbe experienced a heavy downpour on Saturday, April 6, 2024, which overwhelmed the drainage system, causing back-flow in some parts of the car parking area and the photos, according to UCAA, unfortunately went viral, creating the wrong impression that the situation lasted for a big part of the day, yet the water drained within 30-45 minutes.
“It is pertinent to note that on that particular day, the Uganda National Meteorological Authority issued a report indicating that Entebbe received rain up to 106.8 mm, the highest maximum fall recorded in a single day. Nevertheless, it is also important to note that some of the existing structures at Entebbe International Airport were first put up in the 70s, and more buildings have been added as part of the infrastructure upgrade,” Bamwesigye said.
He added that the on-going construction of the new terminal building has a component for interconnection of the drainage system to accommodate the new developments, and all these pending works are scheduled for completion this year.
“The public is urged to bear with the temporary inconvenience as mitigation measures and all the projects are being finalized for a better passenger experience,” he said, adding: “Members of the public are also requested to be more patriotic and not pride in massively sharing images of that nature, which negatively impacts tourism.”
