Karamojongs Commend Museveni for turning  Moroto into an Investment Hub after  Launch of  Kidepo International Airport construction

By Abraham Lincolns | Karenga

Leaders from Karamoja sub region have commended President Museveni for setting trends shifting the growth and development through investment projects in the area following the restoration of peace and stability.

According to the designate minister for Karamoja Affairs Dr. John Baptist Lokii, the disarmament of cattle rustlers have attracted cement factories, marble factories, mines and Kidepo International Airport among others. “The investments already set in Karamoja have made the area an attractive investment destination due to the restoration of peace and stability fronted by your excellence” Dr. John Baptist Lokii said.

While launching the construction works for Kidepo International Airport in Karenga District, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni said the move intended to boost tourism, trade and investment in Karamoja sub-region. “Now, Kidepo, which you wanted to destroy with goats, sheep and donkeys, is now bringing you this investment here, an airport like Entebbe International Airport,” the President said.

The project funded by Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry from United Arab Emirates (UAE) and it’s estimated to cost over USD 72 million with major facilities including a 3.6 kilometer runway, 7408 square meter passenger terminal, 74200 square meter cargo terminal, among other expansive aviation facilities.

During the launch, President Museveni revealed to residents of Karenga and the entire Karamoja subregion have got the opportunity of hosting an international airport in the area and expounded on tourism potential and viability of Kidepo Valley National Game Park that has so far attracted direct investment for infrastructure like the international airport with span benefits to yet other untapped sectors in the area.

President Museveni also commended communities in Karenga District-near Kidepo National Park for volunteering to offer land to host the International Airport project and he assured them of immense developments and returns from the project through tourism and wildlife conservation, trade, among other opportunities.

On the other hand, he tasked the people of Karamoja to broaden their scope of commercial enterprise selection in the four viable sectors mapped out by the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government for wealth creation and poverty alleviation.

Citing the global tourism sector performance currently rated at 11.6 trillion USD under the services sector, commercial agriculture, Manufacturing and ICT, President Museveni noted that the scope of options for investment is wide enough to allow people change from their traditional and subsistence activities that have stunted their incomes.

He further affirmed the government’s resolve to protect such profitable sectors like tourism and advised people residing near Kidepo National Park to adhere to the government’s strategic guidance for tourism conservation. “Please let’s know what is good for our country Uganda. Services are very important in modern economies,” President Museveni stated

Furthermore, President Museveni tipped global investors on the growing investment options in Africa and Uganda in particular including a widening market for products. He commended Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry for opting to invest in Uganda and assured them of returns on their investments with ready market

H.E Abdallah Mohamad Sultan Alowais, the Chairman of Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry disclosed the scope of the project that currently employs 1,620 Ugandans which is planned to be implemented through three consistent phases. Ms. Olive Birungi Lumonya, the Deputy Director General of the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority outlined regulatory assessments conducted on the Kidepo International Airport project.