A high-level delegation led by Hu Zhangliang, Vice Chairman of the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA), visited the ongoing expansion project at Entebbe International Airport on September 21, 2025. The inspection and subsequent meeting with key Ugandan officials, including Minister of Works and Transport Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala and Deputy Director General of the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA), Olive B. Lumonya, underscore the strategic importance of this collaboration.
The visit highlights the strong partnership between Uganda and China, particularly the successful completion of Phase 1 of the airport’s upgrade and expansion works. This project, as Gen. Katumba noted, is “…a crucial component of Uganda’s broader Vision 2040 strategy, which aims to leverage infrastructure development to accelerate socioeconomic progress.”
For Uganda, the expansion of Entebbe International Airport is not just about a new look; it’s about positioning the country as a major regional aviation hub in East Africa, hence the inspection is a huge milestone for Uganda’s aviation and economy at large.
The ongoing upgrade is designed to significantly increase the airport’s capacity, which is essential to support the country’s growing tourism and trade sectors.
With modern facilities and enhanced infrastructure, the airport will be able to handle a greater volume of international passengers and cargo, boosting foreign exchange earnings and creating new opportunities for trade and logistics.
The project is also a key enabler for the anticipated surge in passenger traffic from major events like the co-hosting of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
The in-depth discussions between the CIDCA delegation and Ugandan leaders reflect a mutual commitment to addressing challenges and ensuring the project’s timely completion. This strong collaboration between the two nations extends beyond the airport, with China being a major development partner in various sectors, including oil and gas, agriculture and other infrastructure projects.
The Entebbe Airport expansion project is a crucial national infrastructure initiative aimed at transforming Uganda’s main aviation gateway into a modern, regional hub. The project, which was approved by Parliament in 2015, is a key segment of Uganda’s Vision 2040 strategy to accelerate socioeconomic development through infrastructure-led growth. The total project cost is approximately US$325 million (Shs1.235 trillion), and it is being funded through a concessional loan from the Export-Import Bank of China.
The project is being implemented in two phases:
- Phase 1: This phase, costing US$200 million, has been completed.
- Phase 2: The final phase is estimated to cost US$125 million and is now underway after delays, primarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The expansion and upgrade works are being carried out by the Chinese contractor China Communications Construction Company (CCCC). The project includes:
- The construction of a new passenger terminal and the rehabilitation of the existing one.
- Resurfacing of the runways and associated taxiways.
- Expansion and rehabilitation of the aprons.
- Construction of a new cargo complex to handle increased freight volumes.
Once complete, the expansion will significantly increase the airport’s capacity to handle a greater volume of international passengers and cargo, which will in turn boost Uganda’s tourism and trade sectors.
The successful implementation of the Entebbe Airport expansion serves as a positive case study for how targeted infrastructure investments can unlock new opportunities, drive economic growth, and solidify Uganda’s place as a competitive player on the global stage.