By Juma Nsubuga
The Uganda Civil Aviation Authority UCAA in collaboration with the Ministry for Works and Transport has completed upgrading 1.2 km of Kisoro Aerodrome run way, described as a strategic infrastructure project.
Similarly, the aviation body says the apron, taxi way and access road for fire trucks have also been upgraded.
“This is set to boost the tourism landscape in Uganda by facilitating direct access to game parks for both domestic and international tourists” explained UCAA Manager Public Affairs Vianney Mpuugu Luggya.
He said previously, travelers had to land at Entebbe Airport and then take connecting flights to reach their final destinations, leading to additional travel time and logistical complexities.
“With the revamped aerodrome in Kisoro, tourists can now fly directly to the region, streamlining the journey and providing a more seamless travel experience and creating a more visitor-friendly environment” he assured.
Kisoro Aerodrome has been closed for a while, affecting local tourism. For the time it has been closed, tourists who wanted to fly to Kisoro would have to divert to either Kihihi (Kanungu) or other airfields which are at a distance.
Tour operators have been complaining over the continued closure accusing UCAA of what they called being insensitive to tourism as their clients had to brave a day-long journey from Kampala to Kisoro using road transport. However, in spite of the perceived inconveniences, the suspension of flights on this airfield was necessary to ensure safety of both tourists and aircraft.
