Entebbe offers benefits over congested Nairobi

UGANDA’S AIRPORT at Entebbe is an ideal regional air hub for East Africa, and was chosen by the airfreight forwarding firm Afrihub as the base of its operations in the area. Entebbe International Airport, 21 km from Kampala, is “very well organised, very user friendly and well managed,” said Afrihub’s MD Paddy O’dwyer. “We have maximum control of our cargo. We know where everything is,” he said. Built by the British as a mid-point stopover for flights to SA, the airport in 2007 saw operations grow almost 11% over the year before. About 20 air carriers use the facility, along with the US military, which can employ Entebbe as a “Cooperative Security Location” via treaty with Kampala. Entebbe also has an advantage as an East Africa regional hub in comparison to Kenya’s airport at Nairobi, which reportedly suffers congestion and facility-fatigue issues. “Nairobi has problems. At Entebbe, we are impressed at the advances the Ugandans have made. The people are peaceful and hard working,” said another official with Afrihub. Telecommunications equipment by the planeload is making its way to Entebbe from SA, to meet the growing East African market for telecommunications equipment, computers and hi-tech equipment. Ugandan GDP and population have grown apace in recent years. How well the country manages its main assets, its natural resources, during this time of rising commodity prices will determine this year’s economic growth. Afrihub’s experience indicates Entebbe as an airfreight hub is up to any transport challenges.