Arua Airstrip which is strategically located in the tri-state border of Uganda, DRC and South Sudan thus serving as a key infrastructure for cross border trade has been gazetted for upgrade into an International Airport.
The Airport is one of the busiest regional/ domestic airports in the country with a monthly average of 170 aircraft movements and 12,000 passengers.
On 28th February, 2024, the Minister of Works and Transport, General Katumba Wamala signed a Memorandum of Understanding with a Private Developer East of Eden for the development of Arua Airstrip into an International Airport under a Build, Operate, and Transfer Model.
Owing to this expansion agenda, Uganda Civil Aviation Authority commenced the land acquisition process and by 2015/16 98% of the Project Affected Persons had been compensated for land measuring approximately 182.24 Acres. Only 5 PAPs have yet to be resettled citing absentee landlords, claims of undervaluation of property but these are soon to be resolved.
Upon invitation by the Anyivu Constituency area MP, Hon. Geoffrey Feta, the Minister of State for Transport, Hon. Byamukama visited Arua Airfield. The Minister was accompanied by the Director of Transport, Benon Kajuna and the Director General UCAA, Fred Bamwesigye to meet with Arua City leadership. The Minister was welcomed by the Arua City Resident Commissioner, the Mayor, Area Member of Parliament, and local council leaders to discuss Project Affected Persons issues with regards to land acquisition.
The State Minister listened to the Project affected Persons concerns and toured the facility including the PAPs sites with a view of coming to a quick resolution of these issues so as to enable the Aviation Authority take charge of the land to enable developments.
On conclusion of the inspection and discussions, Hon. Byamukama gave a directive to the Uganda Civila Aviation Authority to ensure that the PAPs issues are looked into and resolved within the next three months and he promised to visit the Airstrip once again to ensure that the resolutions that had been arrived at are being enacted.