Kampala — The Civil Aviation Authority, Uganda's aviation sector watchdog has completed its master plans for the two key aerodromes of Kasese and Gulu, as the country finalizes plans to improve them to international standards as well as promoting domestic air travel.

Mr. Ignie Igunduura, the CAA public relations manager told East African Business Week in Kampala recently, that the projects now wait for government funding to kick off.

Kasese aerodrome is located in western Uganda while Gulu is in the north.

"The master plans are ready. The works have been done.

We now await government funding to start," Igunduura told East African Business Week in an interview.

Igunduura added that they are now negotiating with residents surrounding Arua airport in West Nile, to sell to government their land such that the airport can be expanded to international standards.

"What we're doing right now is talking to communities around Arua Airport such that we can compensate their land to construct a new passenger terminal building, parking to accommodate more cars and luggage area," said Igunduura.

He added that by June 30, 2012, they hope to have addressed issues concerning residents surrounding Arua Airport.

The expansion of the aerodromes has come at a time when the government is intensifying investment in domestic air travel, which has been hampered by mainly the inadequate infrastructure like standard aerodromes.

Of recent, the government has invited more investors in domestic air travel which has been mainly dominated by one or two airlines, Eagle Air and Asante Aviation. Apart from Eagle Air, the latter operate charter services.