Gen. Muhoozi grants Koboko Airfield upgrade request as locals endorse him for Presidency

KOBOKO – The Uganda Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba has granted a request by the people of Koboko District to revive and upgrade their airfield as an alternative regional transport hub to Arua Airfield.

The decision was communicated on Wednesday by David Kabanda, the Head of the Office of the Chairman of the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU), during an endorsement rally at which residents of Koboko declared support for Gen. Muhoozi as the next President of Uganda in 2031.

Koboko Airfield, historically known as Arumaji Airfield, has been largely defunct and inactive for more than 30 years. Locals used the endorsement event to press for its redevelopment.

The colourful function, which drew a large crowd to Koboko Boma Grounds, was organized by Hajjat Naham Medina Ojale, the NRM Director of Finance and Administration, together with municipal and district leaders, including the area Members of Parliament.

Hajjat Medina used the opportunity to assure the public that the entire West Nile region will continue supporting President Museveni and Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba.

“Gen. Muhoozi told us recently that everything the PLU is going to achieve will be within the NRM. PLU is a civic organization within the NRM. That means as NRM members we shall embrace PLU and PLU will embrace NRM, so we are one,” she said.

She noted that the Koboko endorsement had brought together NRM structures from Koboko and the wider West Nile region in a show of support for Gen. Muhoozi’s presidential bid in the 2031 general elections.

Hajjat Medina’s message was reechoed by Jackson Atima Lee Buti, the PLU coordinator for West Nile region who emphasized the need for NRM and PLU supporters in the region to remain united and support Gen. Muhoozi for Presidency.

Atima said Kabanda’s coming to West Nile especially to Koboko district in his view, testifies that he is preparing the way for Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s Presidency come 2031 and thanked him for spearheading the move.

But during the occasion, the Koboko Municipality Mayor Peter Aloro Atibuni requested the government to revamp the Koboko airfield. He argued that as Arua is upgraded into a full airport, Koboko Airfield should be redeveloped as the nearest commercially viable alternative for the region.

“As they are going to upgrade Arua Airfield, it is important to also upgrade the Koboko Airfield to serve as the nearest alternative that will also be commercially viable to the region,” Aloro said.

Meanwhile the Koboko Resident District Commissioner Mpimbaza Hashaka said the Minister of Works and Transport recently visited the district and promised reconstruction of the airstrip.

Hashaka, however, appealed to the mayor to engage residents who have encroached on the airfield land so they can vacate and allow the upgrade to proceed.

Speaking on behalf of residents, Koboko North MP and PLU coordinator for the district Dr. Noah Musa said the people of Koboko fully support the PLU and have endorsed Gen. Muhoozi.

“The people of Koboko have 100 percent supported PLU and have endorsed Gen. MK. We therefore have a few prayers to put before him. The first is security. Koboko is a border district bordering South Sudan and the DRC, which are insecure, and whatever happens in those countries affects us,” Musa said.

He recalled that in March this year armed men crossed from South Sudan, looted communities along the border and took more than 200 head of cattle. He said Gen. Muhoozi’s leadership could help open security roads along the border to enable faster response by Ugandan forces.

Musa also called for the upgrading of Health Centre IIIs to HC IVs, the full operationalization of the district hospital so that services are consolidated in one place, improved road infrastructure, and greater employment opportunities for the youth.

He thanked Hajjat Medina for the time and resources she invested to make the endorsement event colourful and successful.

In his remarks, Kabanda described the Koboko endorsement as the best so far. Accompanied by PLU Director for Mobilization Michael Mawanda, he said the size of the crowd and the presence of leaders from other areas turned the gathering into both an endorsement launch and a full rally.

“What you did here, there is no district in Uganda that has done it. You invited other leaders to come and endorse Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba. Thank you so much! As I was seated there with Hajjat Medina, I informed Gen. Muhoozi about the issue of Koboko Airfield and he has sent me a message that the issue is going to be sorted,” Kabanda told the cheering crowd.

He reported that Gen. Muhoozi had promised to send a team from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to upgrade the airfield, but first requested district leaders to ensure that people who have encroached on the land vacate the site.

Kabanda pledged to convey all other issues raised including the upgrade of health facilities, roads and security concerns to Gen. Muhoozi for consideration.

During the function, Kabanda also received a group of youths who crossed from the National Unity Platform (NUP) to NRM/PLU.

The youths said they had “seen light” in NRM and PLU through Hajjat Medina and requested government support for their SACCO so they could engage in productive work and avoid being drawn into violent activities.

The occasion was attended by various dignitaries and featured performances by traditional dancers, students and artists including Jose Chameleon and JM Kennedy.