The Government of Uganda has secured a grant worth US$9.5m for the modernization and automation of Entebbe International Airport from the Korean Government through the Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) it’s official aid implementing agency.
Speaking during the signing of the memorandum of Understanding (MOUs) today Thursday at the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development in Kampala Resident Representative KOICA Uganda Office Kang Younhwa expressed her confidence that the project would improve the existing facility, equipment, flight operation procedure and upgrade systems at Entebbe International Airport a condition needed to meet the ICAO Standards.
“KOICA in collaboration with Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) hopes that the project on completion will play a vital role in connecting communities, people, creating markets for the imports and exports, boosting the growth of local business, as well as creating diverse range of employment for the people of Uganda” Kang noted in her speech to the media.
“With Korea’s high air safety skills and expertise to operate the aviation sector, I would like to give my assurance that KOICA is committed to support Uganda with a grant worth 9.5 million US Dollars for three years so that Uganda’s Aviation Sector improves” Kang added.
Finance Permanent Secretary and secretary to the treasury Keith Muhakanizi revealed that the project seeks to improve the efficiency and safety of civil aviation operations by modernizing and automating facilities at Entebbe International Airport, enhance passenger convenience by improving facilities and sharing technology and operational knowhow through training and the expert dispatch program.
“The implementation of this project will be done by Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) under the Ministry of works and Transport and will augment Government’s NDP Strategy of increasing stock and improving quality of public physical infrastructure which includes air transport management” Muhakanizi noted in his speech.
“In addition to providing the software, the Republic of Korea will also grant technical assistance in form of experts who will assist to train the Ugandan Aviation team and hands on through exchange visits” Muhakanizi disclosed.
On his part CAA Managing Director Dr. Rama Makhuza expressed his appreciation to the Korean Government through KOICA for continuously supporting Uganda’s Aviation Industry.
“This is not the first time the Korean Government through KOICA are helping us. They have been helping us in areas of training Air Traffic controlling and now the project to modernize and automate Entebbe International Airport is of paramount importance” Makhuza stressed.
“The US$9.5m from the Korean Government through KOICA has come in timely and this will enhance safety operation procedures for aircrafts and improving the movements and management of aircrafts with in the Northern Corridor” he explained.
“We (CAA) are very grateful for the US$9.5m Grant we have received from KOICA and in addition to other interventions that you are doing for us, we shall put the funds in good use and also provide accountability to you” Makhuza concluded.
The project will be implemented in three years from 2015 to 2018 and is one of the four projects that the Korean Government has committed to finance in four years including the following three;
The fruit factory under establishment in Teso sub region worth US $6.5m, the establishment of a farmers’ school in Kampirigisa, Mpigi District worth US$ 3.5m and the establishment of a vocational Training Institute in Uganda worth US $ 4.5m which are all under implementation.
