Written By | BK Mugizi
Nyakisharara airlink
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President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has directed government ministries and agencies to support a proposed mega international airport project at Nyakisharara in Mbarara District.
In a letter dated February 11, 2026, addressed to Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, Museveni instructed government departments to work with Base Seven Company to implement what he described as a major transport hub around the Government Aerodrome at Nyakisharara.
“I am writing to direct you and all the concerned government departments to help a company known as ‘Base Seven Company’ to implement a mega transport project at and around the Government Aerodrome of Nyakisharara, near Mbarara,” Museveni wrote.
Using Nyakisharara as a nucleus, the company intends to build a mega international airport in the area.
Global Trade and Strategic Location
Museveni defended the choice of location, arguing that global trade patterns between South America and Asia justify the development.
“Why such a big airport in what has hitherto been a remote area of Uganda? It is all on account of the hitherto unknown factor of the way the globe was arranged by God and the new phenomenon of unfolding global affluence,” he wrote.
He added that Latin America, especially Brazil, and China are increasingly trading with one another but currently use long and costly routes.
“These two zones of the globe are now trading and communicating with one another. However, their route of communication is wholly irrational and uneconomic,” Museveni stated.
He explained that the existing route passes “over the Atlantic, over Europe, Asia, etc., to China and back” and “takes 34–42 hours.”
“Yet, if somebody were to come from Brazil and refuel at Nyakisharara, it would take 20 hours of flying time. It takes nine hours from South America to Nyakisharara and 11 hours from Nyakisharara to China,” the President wrote.
Financing and Implementation Model
Museveni said the company would finance the development using its own funds under a Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) arrangement.
“The company will use its own money to undertake the developments and recover that money by charging users of the airport and the accompanying facilities, such as the hotels they will build there,” he noted.
“They will use the strategy of BOT (Build, Operate and Transfer) to the government after an agreed period,” he added. According to the letter, the financiers are Hunan and BlackRock, and “the operator will be nominated by the financier.”
Land and Infrastructure Plans
The entire project will cover approximately 21 square kilometres of land, utilising the existing government aerodrome and additional land to be purchased from surrounding landowners.
It will have two runways measuring 5.5 kilometres each, as well as a 3.7-kilometre reserve runway for VIP use. Museveni further indicated that the developers would relocate the Ibanda–Mbarara public road at their own cost.
“Finally, they will, at their cost, shift the Ibanda–Mbarara public road to a point to the east of Nyakisharara. Agree with them,” he directed.
He also called for coordination among relevant government institutions.
“Involve all the concerned sectors such as the Ministry of Works and Transport, Ministry of Lands, Ministry of Finance, Attorney General, etc.,” the President instructed.
Torch Media Africa
