The Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) announced this as part of its long-term development strategy to meet growing aviation demands.
By Entebbe International Airport is set to undergo a major transformation, with plans to increase its passenger handling capacity to 6 million annually by 2033.
The Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) announced this as part of its long-term development strategy to meet growing aviation demands.
Fred Bamwesigye, director general of CAA, emphasized that the expansion focuses on enhancing safety, security, and infrastructure at the airport.
He noted significant progress in upgrading facilities, including the expansion of the passenger terminal building earlier this year.
“As CAA, both as a regulator and an operator of airports, we are focusing mainly on advancing safety and security in Uganda’s aviation industry, as well as expanding and upgrading facilities for the airport,” Bamwesigye said.
The recently improved terminal building, covering an additional 20,000 square meters, was officially opened in January 2024.
It is designed to accommodate the increasing number of travelers, with capacity expected to rise from 3.6 million to 6 million passengers annually by 2033.
The CAA’s broader development plan includes upgrades to runways, cargo facilities, and other critical infrastructure to support both passenger and freight demands.
In October 2024 alone, Entebbe International Airport recorded 183,728 arriving and departing passengers, alongside 5,825 metric tonnes of cargo imports and exports.
The planned expansion aligns with regional trends as East African airports ramp up their capacities. Ethiopian Airlines recently unveiled a new terminal at Bole International Airport, increasing its capacity to 22 million passengers annually, making it Africa’s largest gateway.
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Kenya currently has a passenger capacity of 7.5 million, while Kigali International Airport in Rwanda recorded over 710,000 passengers in 2023, up from 600,000 in 2026.
Among the major airlines that operate Entebbe airport include Ethiopian Airlines, Qatar Airways, Kenya Airways,
Emirates, and Rwandair.
Others are Turkish Airlines, Brussels Airlines and Tanzania’s KLM.
Entebbe International Airport’s expansion is a significant step in bolstering Uganda’s aviation infrastructure and improving the country’s connectivity with global markets.
These developments are expected to enhance Uganda’s position as a key player in the region’s aviation sector.
