President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has directed the Prime Minister, Robinah Nabbanja, and relevant government ministries to support a private investor seeking to establish a mega international airport in Nyakisharara, Mbarara district.
In a letter dated February 11, 2026, addressed to the Prime Minister, the President instructed all concerned government departments to work with a company identified as Base Seven Company to implement a large-scale transport project at and around the Government Aerodrome in Nyakisharara.
According to the directive, the investor intends to transform Nyakisharara into a major international aviation hub, positioning it as a strategic refueling and transit point between Latin America—particularly Brazil—and China. The President noted that current flight routes between the two regions are long and inefficient, often taking between 34 to 42 hours. The proposed airport would significantly cut travel time, with flights from South America to Nyakisharara estimated at nine hours and a further 11 hours onward to China.
The project will be privately financed, with the developers expected to recover their investment through user fees and associated facilities such as hotels to be constructed at the site. The arrangement will follow the Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) model, under which the company will eventually hand over the facility to the Government after an agreed period.
The financiers of the project are reported to include Hunan and BlackRock, while the operator will be nominated by the financiers. The development is expected to cover approximately 21 square kilometers of land and will feature two runways measuring 5.5 kilometers each, in addition to a 3.7-kilometer reserve runway designated for VIP use.
The Government is set to contribute land comprising the existing aerodrome and its surroundings, alongside additional land to be acquired from neighboring landowners. The investor has also proposed to realign the Ibanda–Mbarara public road to the eastern side of Nyakisharara at its own cost, subject to government approval on the preferred route alignment.
The President further directed that key ministries, including Works and Transport, Lands, Finance, and the Attorney General’s Chambers, be involved to ensure coordinated implementation of the project.
If realized, the proposed airport is expected to significantly boost Uganda’s connectivity, enhance trade links, and position the Mbarara region as a critical node in global aviation and commerce.
