Uganda’s automotive industry flagship Kiira Motors Corporation (KMC) has handed over the Kayoola EVS 2025 model – 12 –meter bus to the management of the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCCAA.)
This event marked an electrifying moment for Uganda, igniting a new era in the country’s Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) journey. At the grand closing ceremony of the National Science Week 2025 held under the theme “Made in Uganda: From Innovation to Market,” Kiira Motors Corporation has once again unleashed a powerful symbol of African ingenuity and unwavering commitment to a sustainable future.
The Kayoola EVS 2025, a masterpiece from Uganda’s automakers, stands as a resounding testament to Uganda’s burgeoning capability to design, engineer, and produce world-class electric vehicles. The vehicle is a meticulously crafted solution tailored for the vibrant rhythm of African cities.
The handover ceremony was presided over by the Deputy Speaker of the national parliament , Mr. Thomas Tayebwa ,who presented the keys of the fully electric bus to the UCAA Director General, Mr. Fred K. Bamwesigye . This was at the closing of a week-long National Science Week organized by the Ministry of Science ,Technology and Innovation (MoSTI) at Kololo Independence grounds.
The colourful function was witnessed by Dr. Monica Musenero the Minister STI and Mr. Paul Isaac Musasizi , the CEO of Kiira Motors Corporation .
In his prepared speech Deputy Speaker Tayebwa noted that the Kayoola EVS 2025 was a moving declaration of innovation, resilience, and the sheer power of homegrown solutions. He commended KMC for its milestone achievements, noting that Uganda is firmly on the path of self-driven innovation. “It is time to believe in our own. What we are importing from abroad is not even comparable. These are home-grown solutions, built by our own people, for our own needs,” Tayebwa stated.
“The official handover of a Kayoola EVS 2025 unit to the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) signifies the seamless integration of green mobility into Uganda’s critical aviation infrastructure, solidifying our pledge to drastically reduce carbon emissions and elevate service delivery at our nation’s vital gateways.
Furthermore, this handover embodies the crucial confidence public institutions are placing in our high-tech, domestically produced innovations, a vital step in cultivating a robust local market for electric vehicles and propelling the technological advancements essential for our economic transformation,” he said .
For the Global South, Tayebwa noted , this momentous occasion reverberates far beyond Uganda’s borders. “ It unequivocally affirms that the African continent is not merely a consumer of imported technologies but a dynamic creator of high-tech, transformative solutions. The Kayoola EVS 2025 epitomizes the aspirations of a continent steadfast in its resolve to leapfrog into a cleaner, smarter, and more inclusive future for all,” he added.
He went further to state ; “As we celebrate this monumental milestone, we powerfully reaffirm our unwavering commitment by the government under the visionary leadership of President Yoweri Museveni, to investing in Science Technology and Innovation as the undeniable driver of Uganda’s socio- economic transformation.
While receiving the well branded elegant bus , UCAA Director General Bamwesigye thanked the government of Uganda for funding the electric vehicles programme.
“We are particularly thankful to the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation for its unwavering support and guidance in advancing e-mobility and nurturing Uganda’s indigenous motor vehicle industry,” he said .
Bamwesigye recalled that in 2020, UCAA was approached by Kiira Motors Corporation (KMC) to pilot the Kayoola EVS—Low-Floor Electric Bus—by facilitating the transportation of its staff between Kampala and Entebbe International Airport.
“We embraced this opportunity, and five years later, we have never looked back. Today, we are proud to receive the first of our fleet of six electric buses, having fully embraced this transformative innovation,” the DG said adding that this new concept aligned seamlessly with UCAA core value of embracing innovation and technology in a rapidly evolving environment.
“ It was especially significant that the buses are environmentally friendly—powered by electricity, eliminating diesel use and its associated pollution. The Kayoola EVS also supports our commitment to climate and environmental protection, in line with the Long-Term Aspirational Goal (LTAG) of achieving net-zero aviation carbon emissions by 2050,” he stated.
Tayebwa also handed over certificates of competence to UCAA’s electric bus operators
Bamwesigye said that as Ugandans reflect on the transformative journey of strategic investment in Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) as a key driver of the country’s projected tenfold economic expansion by 2040, UCAA reaffirms its support and commitment to KMC’s e-mobility innovations. We wholeheartedly embrace the theme of this Science Week: “Made in Uganda: From Innovation to Market.”
In alignment with the government of Uganda’s Buy Uganda, Build Uganda (BUBU) policy, Bamwesigye said that UCAA has undertaken the replacement of its ageing diesel fleet with six electric buses manufactured by Kiira Motors Corporation.
“The shift from diesel-powered vehicles to electric mobility is a significant step toward enhanced environmental sustainability and reduced pollution,” he noted .
KMC Chief Executive Officer, Paul Isaac Musasizi, expressed optimism about the potential impact of the new electric bus model: “We are optimistic that the introduction of this new model will create significant opportunities—not just for commuters, but also for transport entrepreneurs because the vehicle supports a more sustainable and profitable business model, thanks to its use of affordable energy. Compared to fuel-powered vehicles, users save over 78% in energy costs and more than 46% in annual maintenance expenses. This electric bus is not only a smart mobility solution, but a smart economic one as well.”
About this new Kayoola 2025- 12-meter model
The fully electric bus has a range of up to 350 kilometers on a single charge , a spacious 56-seated passenger capacity, and a suite of modern amenities including Wi-Fi, HVAC, USB-charging ports, ECAS, CCTV, and an inclusive design ensuring comfort and accessibility for all.
