Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) is actively seeking land to extend the runway at Kisoro aerodrome to enhance its capacity to accommodate larger aircraft.
Currently, the runway is 1.2 kilometres long, restricting its use to small planes, such as 7-seaters. However, UCAA reports a growing demand for air travel services, particularly from tourists visiting the region.
In the meantime, UCAA has completed significant upgrades to the existing runway. This strategic infrastructure project also includes improvements to the apron, taxiway, and access road for fire trucks. These enhancements are expected to boost Uganda’s tourism landscape by facilitating direct access to game parks for both domestic and international tourists flying in from other East African countries.
Previously, travellers had to land at Entebbe International Airport and take connecting flights to reach their final destinations, which added travel time and logistical challenges.
Now, under the East African Tourism Circuit, operators can, with prior arrangements, fly directly to several aerodromes near key tourism sites, including Kisoro, Kasese, Kidepo, Pakuba, Arua, and Gulu, according to UCAA.
In collaboration with the ministry of Works and Transport, UCAA plans to extend the Kisoro Aerodrome runway. However, these long-term plans are constrained by the limited availability of land.
“The medium-term plan is to upgrade the Kisoro aerodrome runway from its current runway length of 1200 metres to a longer runway. The ideal plan is to extend it to 2,300 meters, but the available land only allows for an extension to 1,800 meters” says Vianney Luggya, UCAA’s head of communications.
Currently, full feasibility studies, engineering designs, and environmental and social impact assessments are underway, according to UCAA. The aerodrome primarily serves the town of Kisoro and the nearby Bwindi Impenetrable national park and Mgahinga Gorilla national park.
Kisoro aerodrome is located in extreme southwestern Uganda, six kilometres north of the Rwanda border and approximately 343 kilometres by air southwest of Entebbe International Airport.
