[1] It is part of the infrastructure under construction as Uganda prepares to develop its nascent petroleum industry.

[6] Kabalega International Airport sits on 29 square kilometres (11 sq mi).

[2][16] In January 2018, the UK lenders were identified as Standard Chartered Bank with guarantees from the United Kingdom Export Finance, with the two expected to lend €307 million.

[18] The scope of work includes (a) paving 3.5 kilometres (11,000 ft) of runways (b) carrying out of earthwork and installing drainage infrastructure (c) pouring of cement and asphalt (d) building of electro-mechanical, communications and navigation systems and (e) erection of an air traffic control tower, a cargo terminal, additional residencies and service structures.

[24][25] The second phase of construction, focused on the facilitation of passengers and boosting tourism and business, was expected to conclude in 2022.

[36] As of May 2022, the runway was reported at 95 percent complete and the cargo building, passenger terminal, power substation house, ground lighting system, the firefighting house and related facilities were about 79 percent complete.

[37] In October 2022, the EPC contactor, SBC Uganda Limited asked for 10 more months and more money to complete the first phase of construction.

Reasons given for the requested changes included delays attributed to the COVID-19 epidemic, increase of the prices of cement, diesel fuel and gasoline, as a result of the Russo-Ukrainian War.

[39] In April 2024, Ugandan online media reported that commercial commissioning was scheduled for August 2025.

[40] In November 2024, with 95 percent works of the first phase completed, Fred Byamukama, the Uganda state minister for transport reiterated that opening of the airport was scheduled for 13 August 2025.