(Posted 28th September 2026)
As Uganda prepares for its historic first oil production and co-hosting the AFCON 2027 tournament, Kabalega International Airport in Hoima has officially begun receiving passenger flights!
A Bombardier CRJ900 (5X-EQU) carrying CAF, FIFA, and AFCON Local Organising Committee officials landed at 9:00 AM, marking the inaugural passenger operation. Additional Uganda Airlines charter flights carrying both the Ugandan (Uganda Cranes) and Libyan national teams are scheduled to arrive ahead of Tuesday’s international clash.
Earlier on had a charter flight with the Libyan national football team landed at the same airport, ahead of their qualification match for the African Nations Cup.
Key Highlights of the new airport Operational Milestone: Built by a joint venture of S&B International (SBI) and Colas Limited at a cost of roughly $309 million, the airport has reached 98% completion ahead of its official handover scheduled for late 2026. Code 4F Capability: The facility features a 3.5-kilometer runway built to handle heavy wide-body cargo aircraft as well as large commercial passenger planes. Infrastructure Capabilities: Infrastructure includes an air rescue and firefighting station, meteorological facilities, a state-of-the-art cargo terminal, and advanced security integration. Economic & Strategic Impact: Positioned in the Albertine Graben region, the airport is designed to service heavy logistics for the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) and Uganda's energy sector while boosting regional tourism and trade.
