Lois Larson
Kampala, Uganda's capital and largest city, is served by Entebbe International Airport, which is located around 21.2 miles or 40 kilometres southwest of the city. The airport is the only international airport in Uganda and is located on the northern shores of Lake Victoria, Africa's biggest freshwater lake. It is accessible by road from Kampala, with commuters charging approximately half a dollar or 5000 Uganda Shillings per passenger. The journey takes about one hour.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the nearest airport | Entebbe International Airport |
| Distance from Kampala | 21.2 miles or 35 kilometres |
| Travel time from Kampala | 1 hour 5 minutes |
| Public transport availability | Yes |
| Bus travel time from Kampala | 1 hour 5 minutes |
| Car travel time from Kampala | 40 minutes |
| Road type | All-weather |
| Road length | 42 kilometres |
| Road speed limit | 80 Km/h |
| Number of ground-handling companies serving the airport | 4 |
| Expected passenger-handling capacity after Phase I upgrades | 3.5 million annually |
| Number of domestic airports where Kampala-based Eagle Air provides service | 3 |
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What You'll Learn
Entebbe International Airport is the nearest airport to Kampala
Entebbe International Airport is the only international airport in Uganda and serves as the country's gateway to the world. It has seen annual increases in international passenger traffic since 2002, excluding minor declines during the Great Recession in 2009 and in 2014. The airport is currently undergoing a three-phase upgrade and expansion project that began in 2015 and is expected to last until 2035. The total renovation budget is estimated at US$586 million, with a significant portion borrowed from the Exim Bank of China.
The airport offers ground handling services through several companies, including Menzies Aviation Uganda, DAS Handling Limited, Fresh Handling Limited, and Uganda Airlines Ground Handling. It also features a VIP lounge for government officials and the diplomatic community. Entebbe International Airport provides convenient access to Kampala, with public transport readily available between the airport and the city. The commute typically takes around 40 minutes to an hour, depending on traffic conditions.
In addition to its role as a transportation hub, Entebbe International Airport has a significant history. The old Entebbe airport, now used by Uganda's military forces, was the site of a hostage rescue operation by Israeli forces in 1976 after an Arab-German hijacking of an Air France flight. The airport was also partially destroyed during the Uganda–Tanzania War in 1979. Today, Entebbe International Airport continues to serve as a vital gateway to Kampala and the surrounding region, facilitating travel and contributing to the economic and social development of the area.
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It is located about 21.2 miles away from Kampala
Entebbe International Airport is the closest airport to Kampala, the capital of Uganda. It is located about 21.2 miles away from Kampala, in the town of Entebbe. The airport is situated on the northern shores of Lake Victoria, the largest freshwater lake in Africa. Entebbe International Airport is approximately 40 kilometres or 25 miles southwest of Kampala's central business district. The journey from the airport to Kampala typically takes around 40 minutes by car and about an hour by commuter bus.
Entebbe International Airport is the largest airport in Uganda and the only international airport in the country. It has undergone recent upgrades and expansions, including the construction of a new cargo centre, to increase its passenger-handling capacity. The airport has a tropical climate all year round, with temperatures ranging from 16°C to 27°C.
Kampala, on the other hand, used to have its own airport, known as the Kampala Airport or Kololo Airstrip. This airport was located on the south-facing slope of Kololo Hill in the centre of the city. However, it is no longer in operation and now serves as Independence Park. Kampala Airport was a small civilian and military airport, but it has been replaced by Entebbe International Airport as the primary aviation hub for the region.
The Entebbe–Kampala Expressway and Tunnel Road provide easy access between the airport and Kampala, making the journey convenient for travellers. Entebbe International Airport is a significant gateway to Uganda, with a growing number of international passengers each year. It is a crucial transport hub for the region, connecting Uganda to the rest of the world.
In summary, Entebbe International Airport, located 21.2 miles from Kampala, is the closest airport to the city and serves as the main aviation gateway to Uganda. With its ongoing expansions and increasing passenger traffic, the airport plays a vital role in facilitating travel to and from this East African country.
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The airport is located on the shores of Lake Victoria
Entebbe International Airport is the closest airport to Kampala, the capital of Uganda. It is located about 6 kilometres (3.7 miles) southwest of the town of Entebbe, on the northern shores of Lake Victoria. This is approximately 40 kilometres (25 miles) by road southwest of the central business district of Kampala. The airport is situated on a peninsula, bordering Africa's biggest freshwater lake, Lake Victoria. Entebbe's tropical climate remains pleasant year-round, with temperatures ranging from 17°C to 27°C in January and 16°C to 25°C in July.
The airport's location on the shores of Lake Victoria played a significant role in its establishment. During the colonial era, the British Colonial authorities recognised that the site offered optimal conditions for aviation traffic due to its proximity to the lake and the existing facilities. Entebbe International Airport has undergone several upgrades and expansions over the years, with ongoing renovations aiming to increase its passenger-handling capacity from 2 million to 3.5 million annually.
Entebbe International Airport is easily accessible from Kampala, with a travel distance of approximately 42 kilometres by road. The journey typically takes around 40 minutes by car, although heavy traffic during morning and evening rush hours can impact the travel time. Public transport is readily available between the airport and Kampala, with commuter services operating at a cost of approximately half a dollar or 2000 Uganda Shillings for the route from the airport to Entebbe and about half a dollar or 5000 Uganda Shillings from Entebbe to Kampala City.
The airport's location on the shores of Lake Victoria not only provides a picturesque setting but also contributes to the region's historical significance. In the early 1930s, a "flying boat" landed on the lake southeast of Kampala, delivering mail and sparking excitement among the locals. This event led to the creation of the Directorate of Civil Aviation (DCA) in 1949 to oversee civil aviation activities in East Africa.
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It takes about 40 minutes to travel between the airport and Kampala
Entebbe International Airport is the closest airport to Kampala, the capital of Uganda. It is located about 40 kilometres (25 miles) southwest of Kampala's central business district. The journey between the airport and Kampala takes approximately 40 minutes by car. The speed limit on this route is 80 km/h, and heavy traffic should be expected during morning and evening rush hours.
The airport is situated on the northern shores of Lake Victoria, the largest freshwater lake in Africa. It is approximately 6 kilometres (3.7 miles) southwest of the town of Entebbe. Entebbe International Airport is Uganda's largest airport and the only international airport in the country.
There are several transport options available for travellers going between the airport and Kampala. Car hire is available at the airport, and commuters operate the Airport-Entebbe Town routes. The commuters charge approximately half a dollar or 2000 Uganda Shillings for the 4-kilometre journey from the airport to Entebbe (Kitoro). From Entebbe to Kampala City, commuters charge about half a dollar or 5000 Uganda Shillings per passenger, including hand luggage. This journey takes about one hour.
It is advisable to pay in Uganda currency, and the Forex Bureau at the airport can assist with this. The Entebbe Express Highway is a faster route to take. Additionally, there are several tour and travel agents operating in Kampala who can provide information on transport services.
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The airport has a VIP lounge for government officials and diplomats
Entebbe International Airport, located about 21.2 miles from Kampala, is the only international airport in Uganda. It is situated on the northern shores of Lake Victoria, approximately 40 kilometres southwest of Kampala, the capital of Uganda. The airport is currently undergoing a three-phase upgrade and expansion project that began in 2015 and is expected to be completed by 2035. The total renovation budget is approximately $586 million, with a significant portion borrowed from the Exim Bank of China.
The airport has a VIP lounge exclusively for government officials and diplomats. This VIP lounge is a government facility that offers special services to government officials and the diplomatic community. To access the lounge, prior application and clearance from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are required for special cases.
The Entebbe International Airport is easily accessible from Kampala, with a 42-kilometre all-weather road connecting the two. The journey typically takes around 40 minutes by car, but it's important to plan ahead due to heavy traffic during morning and evening rush hours. Public transport is also readily available, with commuters operating routes between the airport and Entebbe Town, as well as from Entebbe to Kampala City.
In addition to the VIP lounge, the airport offers other amenities such as a privately managed departure lounge called the Karibuni Lounge, which provides world-class service in a natural setting. The airport also has a baggage tracing office, passenger self-help baggage trolleys, and assistance for the elderly and disabled.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, there is an airport in Kampala called the Kampala Airport, commonly known as the Kololo Airstrip. However, it is no longer operational and now serves as Independence Park. The nearest operational airport to Kampala is Entebbe International Airport, located 21.2 miles away from Kampala.
The Kampala Airport was a small civilian and military airport located on the south-facing slope of Kololo Hill in the centre of Kampala. It had a single gravel runway and served the city of Kampala. The airport is not administered by the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority. The Kololo Airstrip was constructed in 1936 and consisted of a 1000 x 60-yard all-weather gravel strip with a small hangar and control building. The airport fell out of use by 1946 and was later used for national events and ceremonies, such as the Independence Ceremony in 1962 and an open-air Mass by Pope Paul VI in 1969. Today, the site is used by government officials, including the president, when flying by helicopter, and a portion has been reserved as a burial ground for national heroes.
The nearest operational airport to Kampala is the Entebbe International Airport (IATA: EBB, ICAO: HUEN), located about 40 kilometres (25 miles) southwest of Kampala, the capital city of Uganda. The airport is elevated at 3782 feet above sea level and is part of a peninsula bordering Lake Victoria, the largest freshwater lake in Africa.
