Many people are curious as to how an 80-year-old man in an area like Rukungiri comes up with the concept to launch a sizable company that benefits everyone.
Not everyone has to transform his society, according to Elder Emmanuel T. Kikoni, a business tycoon from Kebisoni Town council Rukungiri district.
The Rukungiri district leadership and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) have helped him initiate the development of an airstrip, which he hopes to inaugurate in his dream.
Elder Emmanuel Kikoni told our reporter that he had this idea after observing that most people take a long time, seven to ten hours, when traveling by road from Rukungiri to Kampala and Kampala to Rukungiri.
He continued by saying that the majority of them wanted to spend as little time as possible since some are business travelers and others need to travel quickly because they needed medical attention in Kampala, and flying is the fastest way to get there.
In order to address all of these issues and assist people, Kikoni claims that this is the exact reason he was compelled to establish and operate an airfield.
He explained that he intended to establish an airstrip located in Buyanja Sub County Rukungiri district.
Cue in………..ELDER KIKONI…………..
Following the genesis of this plan, he reached out to the Rukungiri district leadership, and in May 2024, they met at a projected airstrip house in Buyanja Sub County Rukungiri district, where they deliberated about many topics.
The Rukungiri municipality and Buyanja Sub County leadership, as well as other attendees, convened a meeting led by Nsubuga Bewayo Stephen, the Rukungiri Resident District Commissioner (RDC), to address various matters pertaining to the implementation of Elder’s ambition of establishing an airfield.
Speaking during the gathering, RDC Bewayo praised Elder Emmanuel Kikoni for his creative ideas and heartfelt consideration for the development of his district, which are uncommon in certain individuals.
RDC went on to say, “I wonder how an old man thinks about investing” inspiring others to do the same, especially young people who need to plan if they want to succeed in life.
Bewayo asked the locals in the area where the airstrip would be built to cooperate and accept the requirements set out by the Civil Aviation Authority.
He disclosed that a place devoid of growth descends into instability, and he urged the people to support such efforts wherever they are implemented.
RDC Bewayo requested that Elder Emmanuel Kikoni begin carrying out his initiative so that, upon the arrival of Civil Aviation Authority personnel, they may promptly determine when he is prepared and provide him permission to begin managing the project.
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WHO IS ELDER EMMANUEL T. KIKONI?
Mr. T. Emmanuel Kikoni was the Executive Director for Uganda Banker Association managing its Secretariat from September 2000.
He Worked with Bank of Uganda from December 1969 to April 1972 at the Accounts Department as an Assistant Chief Internal Auditor and he was responsible for paying salaries and business internal claims, paying external claims and Balancing Treasury Bill Accounts.
He worked at Grindlays/Stanbic Bank from April 1972 to 30th August 2000 in different positions such as Officer Trainee in basic Bank operation, Branch Accountant Ottoman Branch, Training in senior Bank operations, Grindlays Bank Training Center London UK, Country Operations manager for all Bank Branch Operations and Senior Manager Human Resources Uganda.
Mr. Emmanuel Kikoni also held other social responsibilities at All Saints Cathedral Kampala as church Warden and Council member and Hon. Treasurer for seven years.
He served at different positions at Federation of Uganda employers which is a National Federation of all Employers in Uganda as Chairman Financial and Administration Committee, Representative of employers on the Industrial Court Panel and Chairman Uganda Bankers Employers Association.
At Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSSFU) a National Private Sector Non-Governmental Organization, he was a Director, Chairman Finance and Administration Committee, Chairman Contracts Committee PSFU/World Bank Project and member of the Commercial Court Users Committee.
He also has Personal Investments Developments like Various Property Investments in Kampala, Agricultural firms, Forest developments and Property Developments all in Rukungiri where he hails from.
