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Hoima, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The local business community in Kabaale parish Kabaale sub county Hoima district is cashing in on the ongoing construction of Hoima international airport.
The construction works kicked off in April 2018 after government acquired a loan of US $309 million (about Shillings 1.1 trillion) from Standard Chartered Bank and UK Export Finance for the first phase of the project.
The construction works currently stand at 45% and the airport is expected to be completed by 2023.
The project is being executed by SBC Uganda Limited-a joint venture company between UK’s Colas limited and Shikun and Binui namely SBI International Holdings AG.
The project has changed the lives of residents of Nyamasoga, Buseruka, Kabaale, Nyakasenene and Kigaaga villages which neighbor the airport construction site.
Several general merchandise shops, restaurants, saloons, mini super markets and rental units among others have sprung up in the neighborhood to serve the workers at the airport.
Joseph India operates a retail shop in Kabaale village. According to India, business is booming because of the huge influx of people into the area compared to the past before the construction works started.
Justus Balyesiima, a resident of Nyamasoga village owns rental units. Balyesiima says he is already benefiting from the airport construction since his 15 rental units are all occupied.
Proscovia Kasemiira migrated from Hoima city to establish a restaurant in Nyamasoga near the airport construction site.
According to Kasemiira, she earns at least Shillings 200,000 on average each day from the workers at the airport who eat at her restaurant.
Jamil Kiyimba, a resident of Hoima city also migrated to the area and established a boutique. Kiyimba says he has been able to expand his shop something he wouldn’t have been able to achieve if he had remained in Hoima.
Ali Tinkamanyire, the Buseruka sub county LC 3 chairperson says residents have to benefit immensely since the construction of the airport started.
He calls on residents of Kabaale and Buseruka sub counties and the entire Bunyoro to prepare to benefit from the various government projects that are set to be established in the area.
Sitting on six square miles, upon completion, Hoima International airport will be the second international airport in Uganda after Entebbe. It is an important infrastructure for the oil sector in Uganda.
It will help facilitate the construction of the national oil refinery in Hoima and the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) that will connect to Tanga in Tanzania.
The airport is strategically located within the 29 square mile Kabaale industrial park that will host the national refinery and various industrial and commercial complexes.
It is being built in full compliance with the international standards of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) as Category 4F, with capacity of handling large cargo planes such as the Boeing B747-800 and Antonov AN124.
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