Dr. Emmanuel Freddie Mugunga, has been appointed as the pioneer Chairman of the inaugural Board of Directors of the E-Bus Xpress- a subsidiary of Uganda’s mobility industry captains Kiira Motors Corporation , (KMC).
The new five member board’s tenure will commence on June 1st ,2026 and run for the next four years.
The other members of the board are, Ms. Thatcher Nakimuli Mpanga who is the Deputy Chairperson , Ms. Karen Nankwanga ,Independent Non Executive Director , Mr. Moses Witta Mbubi , Independent Non Executive Director and Eng. Ian John Kavuma the current Managing Director of the E-Bus Xpress.
The new board was inaugurated in Kampala at the ceremony presided over by the new Minister of STI , Eng.Jonard Asiimwe.
Asiimwe said that the new board’s role will go beyond oversight. “ It is to provide strategic corporate governance , champion sustainability , embrace digital transformation and AI, and unlock partnerships that drive growth and long term value for Uganda,” Asiimwe stated .
STI Minister , Eng. Jonard Asiimwe
The minister noted that Uganda’s 10- times growth strategy will be significantly supported by innovative ecosystems that not only depend on great ideas but on institutions that are well governed , accountable and built to sustain economic growth .
A veteran public administrator , Dr. Mugunga welcomed the appointment and pledged to work with management team to grow the nascent company .
Dr. Mugunga while taking the oath
Mugunga is a distinguished public administrator and governance expert with extensive experience in public sector leadership, institutional transformation, policy development, and strategic stakeholder engagement.
He has served in senior leadership positions across several government institutions, including the Ministries of Finance, Public Service, Science, Technology and Innovation, Energy and Mineral Development, Water and Environment, Justice and Constitutional Affairs, and now at the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development where he successfully led complex reform and change management initiatives.
His direct involvement in the development of the institutional framework for Kiira Motors Corporation and leadership in formulating Uganda’s Automotive Industry Development Policy position him as a valuable contributor to the eMobility sector.
He brings deep expertise in governance, regulatory alignment, public-private partnerships, resource mobilization, and institutional strengthening—critical elements for scaling sustainable transport solutions.
As a board chairperson, he provides strategic oversight, stakeholder management, and policy advocacy capabilities that support innovation and long-term growth. His ability to bridge government, industry, and development partners enhances organizational credibility and enables the creation of an enabling environment for the advancement of eMobility and green transport initiatives in Uganda and the EAC region.
Mugunga was also the first President of the Chevening Alumni Association of Uganda at its inception in 2019 until 2021 . Mugunga is a Chevening Alumnus and graduated with MSc. In Governance and Development Government from the University of Birmingham , UK.
She has over eight years of experience in product design and mobility systems, specializing in e-mobility and automotive innovation. She currently serves as Principal Program Officer, leading mobility programs and policy development, and previously held senior design roles at Kiira Motors Corporation, contributing to electric vehicle development and manufacturing infrastructure, with additional experience in research and academia.
She holds a Master of Science in Integrated Product Design (Distinction) from Brunel University London and a Bachelor of Architecture (Upper Second Class Honours) from Makerere University. She also completed her Uganda Advanced and Ordinary Level education at Mt. St. Mary’s College Namagunga.
Karen Nankwanga -Independent Non- Executive Director
Ms. Karen Nankwanga is an energy and ESG governance professional with legal expertise in CMA Rules, the Companies Act 2012, and Municipal Franchising Laws, specializing in UNFCCC frameworks, climate policy, and sustainability reporting (TCFD/GRI) across public and private sectors.
With an LLM in International Energy Law and Policy and experience in Public Private Partnerships and government relations, she integrates climate policy, legal compliance, and sustainable finance principles to support investment, infrastructure, and institutional decision making aligned with ESG objectives.
Moses Witta Mbubi
Mbubi is an experienced People Management / Human Resources practitioner spanning 24 years in three leading brands (BAT Uganda, Coca-Cola Beverages Africa– Uganda & South Africa, Stanbic Bank Uganda) across different sectors with over 14 years in the C-suite as Strategic People leader (Head, Human Resources / Human Capital).
Additionally, he has experience implementing Corporate GESI frameworks, enforcing a 40% female workforce quota, and overseeing largescale training programs for over 3,500 EV staff. This demonstrates expertise in inclusive workforce planning, talent development, and aligning human capital strategies with sustainable organizational growth.
Eng. Ian John Kavuma -Managing Director
Eng. Kavuma is an accomplished Mechanical Engineer and E-Mobility professional with extensive experience in electric mass transit systems, green infrastructure development, and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) integration for sustainable urban mobility.
He is a strategic leader in electric mobility with experience engaging governments, investors, and industry partners to advance green transport infrastructure.
He ahs demonstrated strong expertise in EV fleet governance, sustainable transit systems, quality assurance, and operational excellence, effectively translating engineering innovation into practical clean mobility solutions.
About E-Bus Xpress
After a highly successful public green mobility service test run in the eastern city of Jinja , Uganda has now rolled out the first electric commuter bus service in the capital Kampala to tackle the big challenges of traffic jam, pollution while significantly reducing the lead-time travelers spend on the road .
The E- mobility service is deployed to provide scheduled, comfortable and convenient transport services to Uganda’s daily commuters, enabling dreams and empowering communities.
“Step onto our bus and you will find what Uganda’s commuters have always deserved: Air-conditioning,| onboard WiFi, cashless payments , scheduled trips and absolute safety and security,” said Eng. Ian John Kavuma , the Managing Director (MD) of E-Bus Xpress.
E-Bus Xpress Kiira Limited is a transport and logistics company operating Ugandan-made Kayoola electric buses from Kiira Motors Corporation.
“We shall serve two major customers daily- the commuters on public routes, shuttle services for corporates, education institutions and gated communities. The second category of customers targeted by the new service are the transport entrepreneurs through- three franchise model — lease-to-own, lease-to-operate, buy-a-seat on the bus,” Kavuma explained .
E Bus Xpress has since been activated in GKMA with 8 word-classs- Kayoola buses on Route E1: Kampala CBD to Ntinda via Nakawa and Wandegeya, in dual circular direction. And by June 2027 the company intends to have deployed 300 electric buses across GKMA on 5 routes that will include Ntinda, Entebbe, Makerere, Seeta–Namugongo, and Kampala–Jinja.
It is estimated that by 2031 the E Bus Xpress shall operate 1,500 e-buses in 14 cities across Uganda.
The rollout follows a pilot phase in Jinja launched in December 2024 and marks Kampala’s entry into an electric mobility shift already underway in cities such as Nairobi, Kigali, Dar es Salaam and Addis Ababa.
