Exciting News: Kidepo Valley National Park to get an Airport.
On 08th November 2023, His Excellency, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni held discussions with a delegation from the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, led by H.E Abdallah Sultan Al Owais, the Chairman of the chamber’s Board of Directors, at State House Entebbe.
During the meeting, H.E Abdallah Sultan and his delegation provided an update on the ongoing construction of the Airport in Kidepo Valley National Park. President Museveni gave his approval for the construction of the airport while emphasizing the importance of ensuring the safety and preservation of wildlife within the park.
Furthermore, President Museveni assured the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry that they would receive tax exemptions for the project. He also pledged to mobilize the Uganda Hotel Owners Association to facilitate the construction of hotels in the region to accommodate passengers using the new airport.
H.E Abdallah Sultan informed the President that upon completion, the airport will feature a 3,500-meter runway, capable of accommodating aircraft such as the Boeing B777.
Established by an Amiri decree in 1970, the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce & Industry actively contributes to the economic sectors, including trade, industry, agriculture, digital, and professions, in collaboration with relevant bodies and local departments.
The Certificate & Diploma in Travel & Tourism Operations program is tailored to impart students with fundamental knowledge and skills essential in the realm of travel and tourism. It typically encompasses various subjects, including the fundamentals of the travel industry, customer service, understanding destinations, and the art of travel planning
What does this mean to People of Nothern part of Uganda?
This means a creation of a big number of job opportunities to the people of Nothern Uganda. The construction of the airport in Kidepo will mean the construction of a number of hotels and lodges, attraction of a number of tourists in this area.
“Its now the time people of Nothern part of Uganda start tourism training and acquire skills because this is gong to be a good and big opportunity to them. Most of them will be working in hotels, as waiters and waitresses, tour driver guides, and many others.” Said Mr. Hafasha Keneth, CEO KCI Institute. He added that, he will be ready to help anyone that wish to study tourism by giving them discounts on the tuition because they will benefit a lot from this.
It was always hard for most of the tourists to go to Kidepo Valley national park because of the long journey (about 12 hours drive on the road) and so the construction of the airport will help and attract many as they will be using the flights. And then the locals will find the opportunity too to pick and drop these clients to the park for the tour activities and then back to the airport for Kampala.
