UCAA announces major fix for Entebbe Airport flooding

During a press conference at the airport, UCAA Director General Mr. Fred K. Bamwesigye highlighted several accomplishments and future plans within the airport’s upgrade strategy.

Earlier this month, Entebbe experienced a heavy downpour that overwhelmed the existing drainage system, causing significant backflow in parts of the car parking area.

Images of the flooded areas circulated widely online, creating concerns about the airport’s infrastructure.

“It is pertinent to note that on that particular day, the Uganda National Meteorological Authority issued a report indicating that Entebbe received rain up to 106.8 mm, the highest maximum fall recorded in a single day,” said Bamwesigye.

The new Entebbe International Airport terminal now under construction pulse uganda

“Nevertheless, it is also important to note that some of the existing structures at Entebbe International Airport were first put up in the 70s, and more buildings have been added as part of the infrastructure upgrade.”

“The ongoing construction of the new terminal building has a component for interconnection of the drainage system to accommodate the new developments, and all these pending works are scheduled for completion this year.”

The new terminal is part of a broader expansion project designed to increase the airport's capacity from 2 million to at least 3.5 million passengers annually. This expansion is critical as the airport’s traffic continues to grow, with recent figures showing a daily average of over 5,500 international passengers. In March 2024 alone, the airport handled a total of 171,990 international passengers.

Earlier works included the resurfacing of runways 17/35 and 12/30, their associated taxiways, and the construction of a new terminal building with a capacity of 100,000 tones, alongside the erection of the Cargo Apron and resurfacing of Aprons 2 and 4.

Eng Ayubu Soma, the Director of Aviation Security at UCAA, also commented on the upgrades, noting the current terminal expansions and future plans to accommodate larger aircraft.

“We have been having 30,000 square meters of a terminal building; now we are adding another terminal of 20,000 square meters. The entire airport upgrade has cost the government USD 200 million,” Soma said.

The next phase of the runway upgrade will enhance their capability to accommodate aircraft with larger wingspans, such as the A380, moving to Code 4 F, the highest classification for runway capacity.