Kikwete: Building of Kajunguti airport to start soon

President Jakaya Kikwete has reiterated that construction of an international airport at Omukajunguti area in Misenyi District would start soon.

President Kikwete disclosed this soon after his arrival at Bukoba Airport, where he laid a foundation stone on the ongoing expansion of the airport. The project is estimated to cost a total of 21bn/- upon completion.

Meanwhile, the Minister for Transport, Dr Harrison Mwakyembe, has directed Tanzania Airports Authority (TAA) to speed up compensating residents in the village so they can relocate to another area.

He gave the directive on Monday when he toured Kajunguti village in Misenyi District. The area has been earmarked for the construction of an international airport to cater for large aircraft to replace Bukoba Airport, which can only handle small aircraft.
Dr Mwakyembe called upon the TAA management to speed up the exercise of paying 12bn/- compensation to people who would be affected by construction of the international airport.

He said funds had already been set aside by the government, adding that completion of the Kajunguti International Airport would boost trade and tourism among East African Community (EAC) member states of Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi.

The minister also visited Bukoba Airport ahead of President Kikwete’s tour. Mr Kikwete was yesterday expected to launch a multimillion-shilling water project in Muleba District.
The Muleba District Executive Officer, Oliva Mavunge said over 29,000 people in Kabale, Kamishango and Katanga wards would get clean water under the project. She said over 70m/- had to date been spent on the project.