CAA spokesperson Ignatius Igundura says that the master plan and engineering design as produced by Gauff Consultants Limited have been completed and handed over to the Government. He says Government is now sourcing for the shs 120 billion required to redesign the airport to international standards.
The second phase of the much anticipated plan to redesign Gulu Airport into an International facility is expected to take effect this year, Civil Aviation Authority has confirmed.
The authority is envisioning rehabilitation works involving the construction of a bigger and new cargo terminal building, improving firefighting capacity, and establishing flood lights for the runway. The construction will also cover the construction of aircraft hangers, control towers, access routes, ground markings, parking areas (aircraft and vehicles), and water treatment systems, among others.
Last year the Ministry of Works and Transport commissioned the renovation of Gulu Airport involving resurfacing and lengthening the asphalt runway to 3.14 kilometers and widening it to 45 meters, at a budgeted cost of Shs 10 billion. Prior to this, its tarmac runway was heavily cracked for lack of surface servicing.
Gulu Runway is the second biggest at 3.14 kms following Entebbe Airport which is 3.6kms. Established in 1959, the Airport is undergoing upgrade in phases due to limited resources. It is one of the five upcountry airports authorized to handle cross-border air traffic from or destined for neighboring countries.
CAA spokesperson Ignatius Igundura says that the master plan and engineering design as produced by Gauff Consultants Limited have been completed and handed over to the Government. He says Government is now sourcing for the shs 120 billion required to redesign the airport to international standards. He is certain that work will begin in July.
Igundura is optimistic that the development of the facility will attract more operators and make it more attractive to passengers. Gulu RDC Catherine Lamwaka also hopes that the facility will boost the capacity of the country to exploit existing regional markets, tourism, trade and agriculture.
Lawrence Bongomin, a resident of Bardege division in Gulu Municipality says that the airport will be a great source of revenue and employment for the people of Gulu Municipality covering up for the shortfalls encountered during the decades of uncertainty caused by the LRA rebellion.
Alex Otto
Freelancer