Airport Overview:

Entebbe International Airport is the principal international airport of Uganda.

• Located near Entebbe town, on the shores of Lake Victoria, and about 41 km (25 mi) southwest of Kampala.
• The airport is open 24 hrs with direct flights to 20 domestic and international destinations. 
• In terms of passengers’ international air transport is increasing, whereas domestic air traffic has been decreasing since 2015.
• Air cargo is as well an important element for the international air traffic in Entebbe airport.
  • Export cargo is mainly fresh products, fish on crushed ice, fruits, and fresh flowers. These products accounts for around 95% of the export cargo.
  • The main part, around 80%, of the import cargo is general cargo, where pharmaceuticals are one of the main product categories: Entebbe International Airport – Civil Aviation Authority (caa.go.ug)

 

Table 2.2.1 Uganda: Airport location and contact Entebbe International Airport

Airport Location and Contact
Country	Uganda
Province or District	Entebbe
Nearest Town or City with Distance from Airport	Kampala, 45 km away from Entebbe Airport
Airport Complete Name	Entebbe International Airport
Latitude	0.044722
Longitude	32.44303
Elevation (ft and m)	3,782 ft and 1.153 m
IATA Code	EBB
ICAO Code	HUEN
Managing Company	Uganda Civil Aviation Authority
Management Contact	Mr. Mr. Barungi – Manager airports
NGO and/or UN Presence at Airport	MUNUSCO Base

 

Airport Picture:

 

Description and Contacts of Key Companies:

There are three cargo handling companies in EBB

• DAS Handling Limited.
• National Aviation Services (MANZIES AVIATION) formerly Entebbe Handling Services (ENHAS)
• Fresh Handling Limited (this one specialises in handling exports of cut flowers, horticultural and agricultural products).

 

Passenger and Cargo Performance Indicator:

 

Performance for 2023
	Per Year	Per Month	Per Day
Total aircraft movements
Total passengers	1,,993,320	166,410	5,547
Total capacity of the airport (MT)
Current use by Humanitarian flights (UNHAS)	NA	NA	NA

Runway(s):

Runway – 1. (12/30)
Runway Dimensions	2,408m X 46m
Runway Orientation	0° 02.45’ N / 32° 26.51’ E
Runway Surface	Asphalt
Runway Condition	Good

 

Runway – 2. (17/35)
Runway Dimensions	3,658m X 46 m
Runway Orientation	0° 02.25’ N / 32° 26.17’ E
Runway Surface	Asphalt
Runway Condition	Good

 

Helicopter Pad(s):

Helipad – 1.
Present (Yes / No)	Yes
Largest helicopter that can land	Mi-26 (no limit)
Width and Length (meters)
Surface	Asphalt

 

Airport Infrastructure Details:

Infrastructure
Passenger / Cargo Security	Yes	Runway Lighting	Yes
Refueling Capacity	Yes	Ground Handling Services	Yes
Air Traffic Control	Yes	Firefighting Equipment	Yes
Weather Information	Yes	Aircraft Parking Space	Yes
Navigation Aids	Yes	Perimeter Fencing	Yes
Windsock	Yes	Airport Radar	Yes
Customs	Yes	Jet – A1 Fuel	Yes
Immigration	Yes	AVGAs 100	Yes
Terminal Building	Yes	Single Point Refueling	Yes
Passenger Terminal	Yes	Air Starter Units	Yes
Cargo Terminal	Yes	Ground Power (mobile units)	Yes
Pax Transport to airfield	Yes	Latrine services	Yes
Control Tower	Yes	Firefighting Category (ICAO)	Yes
Weather Facilities	Yes	De-icing Equipment	n/a
Catering Services	Yes	Parking Ramp Lighting	Yes
Base Operating room	Yes	Approach & Runway Lights	Yes
NDB	Yes	VOR	Yes
ILS	Yes

 

Airport Operating Details:

According to the Airport Expansion Masterplan (2014), cargo traffic was expected to be 77,100 tons in 2018, 100,700 in 2023 and 172,100 in 2033.

• Main exports by air are fish (about 45% of total), fresh flowers (about 20%) and other fresh products (about 20%); many exports depend on the availability of cold storage facilities.
• The airport began a USD200 million expansion project in 2016, which includes the construction of a new cargo centre with total storage capacity of 100,000 metric tonnes.

 

Operating Details
Maximum sized aircraft which can be offloaded on bulk cargo	Antonov 124/225- B-747
Maximum sized aircraft that can be offloaded on pallet	All categories
Total aircraft parking area (m2)	17,327m2
Storage Area (MT) and (CM3)	20,000m2
Cargo handling Equipment Available (Yes / No)	Various
Elevators / Hi Loaders (Yes / No)	Yes
Can elevators /Hi Loaders that reach upper level of B747 (Yes/ No)	Yes
Loading Ramps (Yes / No)	Yes

 

Storage Facilities:

ENHAS/MANZIES AVIATION offers cold storage facilities at its offices located within Entebbe International Airport.

ENHAS is located within the Cargo Terminal and within its perimeters are government departments like Customs, Police, Veterinary Inspectors and Fish Inspectors and the Plant Inspectors which ensure seamless operations: IATA - Entebbe Handling Services Ltd.

 

Airfield Costs:

Navigation Charges	Aircraft Weight – MTOW (kg)
	0 – 7,000	7,001 – 136,000	136,001 and over
Navigation (per journey) USD - $	US$25	US$200	US$273
Landing USD - $	US$5 1000KGS	US$5 Per 1000KGS	US$6 Per 1000kgs
Night Landing USD - $	It varies on the type of aircraft	It varies on the type of aircraft	It varies on the type of aircraft
Night Take-Off USD - $
Parking	US$5 Per day	US$30 Per day	US$40 per day
Handling Charges	As per standard CAA tariffs

 

Fuel Services Charges:

 

	Price per Liter USD - $
Jet A-1	US$0.53
Avgas	US$2.22

 

Cargo Terminal Charges:

Cargo handling is done by ENHAS at Entebbe airport and charges are only provided at ENHAS on request. Charges can only be provided

 

Import Charges
Type of Charge	Rate USD - $ / kg	Comments
Handling Charge per kg	US$0.15 per kg
Break Bulk Fee	na
Diplomatic mail	US$20
Strong Room – per consignment	US$0.10
Cold Storage Fee	US$0.02
Delivery Outside Normal Work Hours	na
Preparation of substitute AOA - invoice- receipt	na
Storage per day	US$0.05 per kg
Delivery beyond warehouse using forklift	US$100 (Minimum)

 

Export Charges
Type of Charge	Rate USD - $ / kg	Comments
Handling Charge – Unpalletized cargo	US0.02 per kg
International airway bill	$50.00
Local Airway Bill	$50.00
Airway Bill Amendment - Cancellation	$50.00
Airway Bill Documentation	$50.00
Diplomatic mail	$50.00
General Cargo	US$0.02 per kg

 

Security:

UCAA  process of getting Entebbe International Airport ICAO certified was completed in Nov 2023.

The security system at Entebbe airport has been improved by the implementation of new security equipment, which has been installed in the airport at the entrance to the Passenger Terminal Building.

Domestic Airports

The domestic air travel is limited (today in total 32,000 passengers in and out of the 11 airports managed by Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA): Civil Aviation Authority – Uganda (caa.go.ug)

At present no substantial air cargo facilities other than Entebbe International Airport are expected to be operational in the short and medium term.

 

Table 2.2.1 Uganda: Functional airports in country:

Airports in Uganda
Nr.	ICAO	IATA	NAME	LOCATION	COUNTRY
1.	HUAR	RUA	Arua Airport	Arua	Uganda
2.	HUEN	EBB	Entebbe International Airport	Entebbe	Uganda
3.	HUGU	ULU	Gulu Airport	Gulu	Uganda
4.	HUJI	JIN	Jinja Airport	Jinja	Uganda
5.	HUKF	KBG	Kabalega Falls Airport	Kabalega Falls	Uganda
6.	HUKC	KLA	Kampala Airport	Kampala	Uganda
7.	HUKS	KSE	Kasese Airport	Kasese	Uganda
8.	HUMI	KCU	Masindi Airport	Masindi	Uganda
9.	HUMA	MBQ	Mbarara Airport	Mbarara	Uganda
10.	HUSO	SRT	Soroti Airport	Soroti	Uganda
11.	HUTO	TRY	Tororo Airport	Tororo	Uganda

 

• Arua Airport is one of the domestic airports and is located in the city of Arua, in the Northern region of Uganda.
  • The airport has an unpaved runway with length of 1,800m and width of 30m, serving single and twin prop-engine aircraft.
  • Presently, Eagle Air operates with 17 scheduled flights weekly. There are also flights performed by Mission Aviation Fellowship, United Nations, AIM Air, Samaritan Purse, Kampala Aero Club and Flight Training Centre.
  • Uganda Government is set to commence expansion works on Arua airport to international standards; the Masterplan and detailed design are prepared by the UCAA for the upgrading works of the Arua Airfield into a regional and international airport.
• Gulu Airport is a civilian and military airport located in the Northern Region of Uganda. It has a single paved runway with length of 3,100m and width of 45m.
  • The development project includes construction of a new runway, taxiways and apron, new cargo centre, new terminal complex, air traffic control tower, airport rescue and firefighting station, and an admin block.
• Kasese Airport is located in Kasese District in the Western region of Uganda. Airport has an unpaved runway with length of 1,600m and width of 30m.
  • The development project includes construction of a new runway, taxiways and apron, new cargo centre, new terminal complex, air traffic control tower, airport rescue and firefighting station, and an admin block.
• Kidepo Airport is located in Kidepo Valley National Park, in Northern region of Uganda. Airport has an unpaved runway with length of 1,280m and width of 30m.
• Kisoro  Airport is located in the Western Uganda district of Kisoro serving Bwindi National Park and Mgahinga National Park.
• Moroto Airport is located in the Northern Uganda district of Moroto. Airport has an unpaved runway with length of 1,600m and width of 30m.
• Pakuba Airport is an airfield located in Murchison falls national park in North-western Uganda. Airport has unpaved runway with length of 1,760m and width of 30m.
• Soroti Airport is located in Eastern Uganda and majorly used by East Africa Civil Aviation Academy for training purposes. The airport has one paved runway with length of 1,860m and width of 30m.

 

World airport database - Airport Codes in Uganda (UG) (airport-data.com)

 

Procedures for Foreign Registered Aircraft:

The Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) was established in 1991 with the main objective of promoting safe, regular, secure, and efficient use and development of civil aviation and carries out the following functions:

• Advisory role to Government in relation to civil aviation policy.
• Regulation of safety, security and doing business in air transport.
• Management and development of major airports within the country.
• Provision of air traffic and navigation centers.

 

Ongoing Projects:

Entebbe International Airport is currently being expanded to a capacity of 3 million passengers per year.

• Construction is currently ongoing; project plans include upgrade of runways, taxiways, apron expansion, new cargo terminal and a significant expansion of the passenger terminal.

Kabaale International Airport is also currently under construction in the western part of Uganda. This is a new greenfield airport.

• Main purpose of this airport is to allow transporting of materials that will be utilized in Uganda's planned oil refinery in Hoima.
• It is expected that the airport will support the development of the region's oil industry, as well as developing regional tourism and agriculture.

According to UCAA there are also plans to expand some of the up-country airports, current status is that a new passenger terminal has been completed in Arua in the Northwest region.

The government of Uganda’s relaunched national airline, Uganda Airlines, in August 2019. The carrier’s fleet is currently four Bombardier CRJ-900s and two Airbus 330 category.

The domestic market within air traffic is limited and mainly related to high-end business, oil sector, emergency services and part of the tourism market.