Overview: A Bold Vision for Karamoja’s Connectivity
In Moroto District, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni announced a sweeping development agenda for the Karamoja sub-region, featuring a flagship project: an international airport in Kidepo that would rival Entebbe International Airport in scale. Speaking at a campaign rally at Naitakwae Boma Grounds and flanked by the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Maama Janet Kataaha Museveni, the president framed the proposal as a critical pillar of Uganda’s growth strategy: attract international tourism, spur private investment, and create thousands of jobs.
Economic Rationale: Tourism, Jobs, and Private Investment
Museveni emphasized that the Kidepo airport would be developed by private investors, with simultaneous plans for hospitality infrastructure including hotels. He likened the airport to a gateway for visitors drawn to Karamoja’s wildlife and landscapes, comparing it to fans flocking to a stadium to watch a match. The project is presented as part of a broader push to strengthen economic infrastructure, diversify the region’s economy, and unlock employment opportunities for local communities.
Karamoja’s Transformation and Political Context
The president highlighted a remarkable shift in Karamoja from a region once plagued by insecurity to one characterized by peace and growth. He recalled his early visits when gatherings were small and population figures modest, contrasting 1980 figures (about 190,000 people) with today’s estimated population surpassing 1.5 million. He attributed this progress to peace, improved health services, immunization, and a unity-based political approach by the NRM that eschews sectarianism while building national institutions.
Infrastructure and Water: The Backbone of Development
Beyond the airport, Museveni detailed ongoing infrastructure milestones, including electricity extensions from Soroti to Karenga, road network upgrades, and expanded water access. He noted maintenance concerns on the Moroto–Kotido road and directed the Ministry of Works to address them. On water, he enumerated projects such as desilting the Kobebe Earth Dam, completing the Nadipal Valley Tank, and progressing several dams and valley tanks to improve irrigation, livestock needs, and household supply. Water access, he argued, is essential for production and resilience in both urban and rural settings.
Social Services and Human Capital Development
The president underscored commitments to education and health in Moroto District, pointing to existing government primary and secondary schools and plans for a primary school in every parish and a secondary school in every sub-county. Upgrades to health facilities, including a regional referral hospital and Health Centre IIIs, are part of an ongoing modernization drive. Museveni’s “Four-Acre Model” for wealth creation (one acre each for coffee, fruits, food crops, and pasture to support livestock and poultry) was presented as a practical pathway from subsistence to prosperity for households across Karamoja.
First Lady’s Message: Mobilizing Continued Support
Maama Janet Museveni appealed for continued support from Karamoja in forthcoming elections, urging residents not to abstain from voting and reinforcing the government’s commitment to the region’s development trajectory.
Industrial Growth and Local Enterprise
Visitors to Moroto also witnessed progress at Yaobai International Holding Cement Uganda–SMC Ltd, a project described as the region’s largest cement factory. Once fully operational, the plant is expected to produce significant clinker capacity, bolstering construction and employment across Karamoja.
Community Impact: Ongoing Results Under the Parish Development Model
Under the Parish Development Model and the Emyooga SACCO framework, Karamoja has seen funds reach thousands of rural households and dozens of cooperative groups, supporting small businesses and improving access to education and health services. Local leaders, religious and cultural figures, and thousands of supporters attended the rally, underscoring the region’s active engagement with the government’s development goals.
Conclusion: A Long-Term Play for Regional Growth
While the plan to construct Kidepo International Airport remains in the proposal stage, its potential ripple effects on tourism, investment, and regional cohesion are a centerpiece of Museveni’s narrative for Karamoja. If realized, the airport could anchor a broader corridor of growth, leveraging hydrological, educational, and industrial initiatives to reshape livelihoods across the sub-region.
