Lira Airport Plan Faces Land Title Dispute

Lira, August 25, 2026 - Uganda's plan for a proposed international airport in Lira has run into a land title dispute, underscoring the acquisition and compensation risks facing major aviation projects.

Residents contesting the project say some land purchases fell within the planned airport boundaries without buyers knowing the implications. The dispute has placed local landholders at odds with the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority as the government pushes to expand regional air infrastructure.

The Lira case comes as scrutiny of regional airfields highlights wider implementation challenges behind Uganda's aviation ambitions. Separately, President Yoweri Museveni has promoted plans for a major airport in Mbarara City, describing it as a flagship project for western Uganda.

For investors, the dispute points to the importance of clear land titling, transparent compensation processes and credible project execution capacity in Uganda's infrastructure pipeline.