Uganda’s automotive industry captain ,Kiira Motors Corporation ltd, has rolled out its brand new Kayoola Electric Buses (EVS) to not only showcase the indigenous company’s home grown green mobility technologies but also prove that the vehicles are complainant with all health and safety guidelines issued by President Yoweri Museveni and the Ministry of Health to contain the spread of the deadly Coronavirus.
The Kayoola EVS buses which were driven in and around Kampala are equipped with automated coronavirus disinfectant sprinkle systems designed to eliminate the spread of Covid-19 as the country awaits President Museveni’s announcement on a partial lifting of a two month long –nationwide- lockdown and curfew- some of the measures which were instituted to fight the deadly pandemic.
Other special features on the 12- meter long Kayoola EVS buses include ,on-board Wi-fi to ensure travelers stay connected to the internet, have USB charging ports for mobile devices , display boards for timely, accurate information dissemination and a ticketing system that allows seamless fare transactions .
Managers at Kiira Motors Corporation Ltd said the company is now ready to produce and supply both electric and diesel combustion engine buses to transport operators in Kampala city and the rest of the country . The company is also targeting the car markets in the East African region and the rest of the African continent .
Why transporters should turn to the Kiira buses
The Kayoola buses have far much lower operating costs in comparison to the diesel combustion engine buses with an operating cost per km of Ug.shs. 320 while a diesel bus equivalent costs Ug.shs.1,670 for the same distance . This also means that the electric buses are more energy efficient and environmentally friendly . “It should be noted that the battery life of the Kayoola EVS electric bus is up to 3,000 charge cycles (900,000kms) compared to 200,000Kms of a typical diesel engine,” a statement issued by the company reads in part.
The floor of the Kayoola EVS buses are made out of bamboo while the interior is mainly made out of plastics and aluminum and body panels supported by a steel superstructure . All these locally available materials provide an unprecedented opportunity for participation of a wide range of local manufacturers making components to feed the production line at the Kiira Vehicles Plant which will address key aspects of the local content supply chain , create jobs and ensure import substitution.
Kiira Motors CEO, Mr. Paul Isaac Musasizi said that with the current capacity to produce eight buses per month , the company was ready to take orders to produce buses at the UPDF’s Luwero industries Ltd in Nakasongola before they shift to the Kiira Vehicles Plant when it is completed at the Jinja Industrial and Business park mid next year.
President Museveni speaks out
While addressing the Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU) E- Conference recently , President Yoweri Museveni emphasized the need for government to priorities the post Covid-19 interventions to boost the economy by supporting key nine key sectors including transport with local manufacturers like Kiira Motors Corporation Ltd, taking the lead.
Minister Dr. Tumwesigye, Prof. Tickodri-Togboa call for local support
Kiira Motors is operated under the Ministry of Science Technology and Innovation led by Dr. Elioda Tumwesigye, who together with the KMC Executive Chairman Prof. Sandy Stevens Tickodri-Togboa have called upon both government and the private sector to purchase locally made vehicles to promote the country’s nascent automotive industry .
Both the Ministry and KMC leadership expressed gratitude to President Museveni for his continued support to the Science , Technology and Innovation sector as a leading driver for economic growth and national development .
The Kayoola Electric buses specs
According to , Mr. Allan Muhumuza, the KMC Business Development Manager, the new Kiira Motors electric buses can cover a distance of 300 kilometers under a single charge. They have a speed governor that allows a maximum speed of 80 kilometers per hour but can pick up to a speed of 140 Kilometers per hour .
The 12 meter long Kayoola EVS buses have a capacity of 90 passengers (49 sitting and 41 standing) while the diesel engine ones will seat 65 passengers .
