The government of Uganda will rename the airport in Hoima to Kabaleega International Airport in recognition of the former Omukama of Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom and his efforts in fighting against European imperialism.
The decision was recently reached at a cabinet meeting chaired by President Museveni.
The naming of the Hoima Airport after Kabaleega was communicated as the kingdom marked 100 years since Kabalega died held at Kikangaara in Kibaale district last week.
Grace Mary Mugasa, State Minister Ministry of Public Service, confirmed the development in a tweet.
“I want to thank @KagutaMuseveni for choosing to rename the airport in Hoima to Kabaleega International Airport, Hoima. This comes at a time when we are celebrating 100 years of Omukama Kabaleega,” she tweeted.
She added: “Kabaleega was an inventor and leadership genius who united Bunyoro and inspired Africa to fight for independence.”
According to Minister Mugasa, the Oil and Gas based Industrial Park in Hoima district will also be named after the Great Omukama Kabaleega. “Thank you, @KagutaMuseveni, for this great choice. Bunyoro stands firm with history.”
According to her, the Kabaleega oil and gas-based industrial park in Hoima district will have; a crude oil export hub, EACOP operations, a refinery, downstream light industries, agro-value addition industries, hospitality and economic free zones.
Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga, the First Deputy Prime Minister of Uganda and Minister for East African Community Affairs, said it was important and appropriate for the Government of Uganda to acknowledge the contribution of Omukama Kabaleega as a hero of the resistance to Colonial aggression.
“His sacrifice included being forcibly removed from his Kingdom for 23 years,” she tweeted.
In a February 2023 letter to Rt Hon Robinah Nabbanja, the Prime Minister and Leader of Government Business in Parliament, Nyakato Asinansi, the Woman MP for Hoima City, suggested that the 6th of April of every year gazetted as a Public Holiday in commemoration of Kabaleega’s great contributions.
She also suggested that the airport currently under construction in Hoima district be named Kabaleega International Airport.
Who was Kabaleega?
Chwa II Kabaleega was the King or Omukama of Bunyoro from 1870 to 1899. He died on 6th April 1923 at Mpumudde in Busoga, eastern Uganda.
When Kabaleega was crowned king, he set out to develop his new empire via trade and especially the Kibiro Saltworks.
He defeated the British and the Ottomans who sought to colonise his empire.
In 1972, President Idi Amin renamed Murchison Falls, located within Murchison Falls National Park, Kabaleega Falls after the Omukama.
On 8 June 2009, Kabaleega was declared a national hero of Uganda by President Museveni.
In 2010, the Most Honourable Order of Omukama Chwa II Kabaleega was founded in honour of Kabaleega by the Omukama of Bunyoro-Kitara.