By Moses Andama
In Masindi—-
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Kisanja airfield located in Kyamugwera village, Labbongo Sub County, Masindi district is on verge of being grabbed after long abandonment by the government. It has also turned into a grazing ground for cattle and even its structures are dilapidated.
Cosmas Byaruhanga, the Masindi district chairperson says he presented the issue of the airfield to President Yoweri Museveni during his visit to the district and he promised to revive it but nothing has been done to date. He, however, promised to follow up on the matter with the relevant offices.
According to Michael Sunday, resident of the area who also worked at the airfield when it was still operational, says the facility used to be very busy in the 70s, 80 and 90 and planes used to land there on their way to other airfields and would carry passengers including tourists going to Murchison Falls National Park.
Sunday added that the airfield used to benefit the neighboring residents by providing a market for their products which is no longer the case now. He therefore appeals to the leaders in the district to lobby the concerned government offices so that it can be revived.
Erifazi Kahigwa, the chairperson Kyamugwera LC1 says the abandonment of the airfield made him its keeper and he tries to protect it from encroachment by reminding the crop farmers and the grazers of its existence.
James Balikurungi, the chairperson Labbongo Sub County is concerned by the state of the airfield and he appealed to the government to revive it such that it can boost businesses to the surrounding areas.
However, Vianney Lugya, the manager public affairs at Uganda Civil Aviation Authority admits that the airfield is dormant but dismissed reports of encroachment on its land.
Lugya explains that the airfield had been leased to a private company to develop it but the lease was terminated after the company failed to fulfil its obligation. He revealed that the agency is currently mobilizing funds with the aim of reviving and upgrading the airfield.
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