By Our Staff Reporter

Kampala, Uganda – February 19, 2026 – In a surprising directive dated February 11, 2026, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has instructed Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja and relevant government ministries to facilitate and support a major private-sector-led infrastructure project: the development of a large-scale international airport and associated facilities centered around the existing Nyakishenyi Aerodrome in Ntungamo District, southwestern Uganda.

The project, spearheaded by a company identified as “Base Seven Company”, envisions transforming the relatively remote area near Nyakishenyi (also spelled Nyakisharara in the correspondence) into a key global aviation hub. According to the presidential letter, the rationale for locating such an ambitious facility in this part of Uganda is tied to emerging global trade patterns specifically, dramatically shortened flight times between South America (notably Brazil) and Asia (particularly China) by using Nyakishenyi as a strategic refueling and transit point.

The letter highlights that conventional routes from Brazil to China currently take 34–42 hours (via Europe or other paths), whereas routing through Nyakishenyi could reduce total flight duration to approximately 20 hours, with legs of roughly 9 hours from South America to Nyakishenyi and 11 hours onward to China.

Key project details outlined in the directive include:
Scale: The development will span 21 square kilometers of land.
Infrastructure: Two main runways each measuring 5.5 kilometers long, plus a separate 3.7 km VIP/reserve runway.
Land Use: Government land at the existing aerodrome, surrounding public land, and additional private land to be acquired from local owners.
Associated Developments: Hotels and other support facilities to be constructed by the company.
Road Realignment: The company will finance the relocation of the existing Ibanda–Mbarara public road eastward to avoid conflict with the expanded airport. The President specifically asks for agreement on a proposed rerouting via Bwizibweera – Makoonje – Kaigoshora – Kyamugorani or an alternative alignment.
Financing & Structure: Backed by financiers identified as “Hunnan” (likely a reference to a Hunan-based entity or misspelling) and BlackRock. The project will operate under a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model, after which ownership transfers to the Ugandan government.
Operator: To be nominated by the financiers.

President Museveni directed the Prime Minister to coordinate with multiple ministries — including Works and Transport, Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Finance, Planning and Economic Development, and the Attorney General’s office as well as local leaders such as the Mayor of Mbarara City and the LC5 Chairperson of Mbarara District.

No official timeframe for construction, cost estimates, environmental impact assessments, or detailed feasibility studies were mentioned in the correspondence. The President’s emphasis on the “unfolding global phenomenon” and “new phenomenon of the way the Globe was arranged” suggests the project is being framed, at least rhetorically, as a response to shifting geopolitical and commercial dynamics favoring direct Southern Hemisphere linkages.

Neither Base Seven Company nor the named financiers have issued public statements regarding the project as of this date. Government spokespersons have not yet commented on the directive or confirmed next steps.

Observers note that Uganda has been actively expanding aviation infrastructure in recent years, including upgrades at Entebbe International Airport and smaller aerodromes. However, a new mega-hub of this proposed scale in a rural southwestern location would represent a major and potentially controversial departure from existing priorities.Further developments, including any official announcements, land acquisition processes, or public consultations, are awaited.