Koboko North Mp, Noah Musa

By: News Reporter

The Ministry of Works and Transport is set to demarcate the boundaries of Koboko Airfield and engage people occupying the land as government considers reviving the facility as an alternative to Arua Airfield.

The airfield, located in Arumaje Village in Koboko District, is among the infrastructure facilities being considered for rehabilitation as the government seeks to improve transport infrastructure in the West Nile region.

Works and Transport Minister Fred Byamukama announced the plans during a visit to Koboko, where he inspected roads, bridges and other infrastructure projects under construction or planned in the region.

Byamukama said the ministry will deploy a technical team to establish the exact boundaries of the airfield before engaging people currently occupying the land on how they can peacefully vacate it.

He cautioned members of the public against giving money to individuals claiming to facilitate the demarcation or allocation of the airfield land.

The minister said the government would determine how the land will be cleared after the demarcation exercise, adding that no definite timeline had been set for the process.

He said residents can continue using the land for the time being but will be required to vacate once they are officially notified.

Byamukama also said the occupants would not be compensated, arguing that the airfield is government land that was previously gazetted.

Koboko Airfield was established in 1972 during the government of former President Idi Amin Dada to facilitate air transport and movement between Uganda and neighbouring countries, including the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan.

However, the facility has remained non-operational for decades, while parts of the land have gradually been occupied by residents who have constructed houses, cultivated crops, grazed animals and established a football pitch.

Local leaders have welcomed the planned demarcation, saying the revival of the airfield could boost trade, transport and revenue in Koboko and the wider West Nile region.

Koboko District Chairperson Mambo Ashraf urged residents to cooperate with the government during the demarcation exercise.

He said reopening the facility would contribute to the district’s development and help restore trade and business activity.

The leaders also said a revived Koboko Airfield could provide an alternative landing facility when flights are diverted from Arua Airfield, particularly during emergencies.

They said an upgraded facility could also support domestic air transport, security operations and emergency response in Uganda and neighbouring countries.

Koboko Municipality MP Francis Ayume said the district’s strategic location makes it suitable for an airfield that could serve the wider region.

He said the facility could also support security operations and facilitate relief efforts during emergencies in neighbouring countries.

Koboko North MP Musa Noah urged people currently occupying the airfield land to comply with government directives once they are formally notified to vacate.

He said clearing the land would enable the government to undertake planned works and develop the facility for the benefit of Koboko and the wider West Nile region.