After a highly successful public green mobility service test run in the eastern city of Jinja , Uganda has now officially launched 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 service to be operated by E- Bus Xpress- a subsidiary of Uganda’s mobility industry captains Kiira Motors Corporation , (KMC) was launched by Works and Transport Minister , Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala .
At the launch event held at Kololo Independence grounds ,Katumba Wamala was joined by his other colleague ministers who included that of Science Technology ,and Innovation , (STI), Dr. Monica Musenero , Sidronius Opolot Okaasai , the Minister of State for Energy and the State Minister for Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs ,Kabuye Kyofatogabye.
The Ministers flagging-off the E- Bus Express service in Kampala
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 amid applause from a huge audience that turned-up for the colorful ceremony .
E-Bus Xpress Kiira Limited is a transport and logistics company operating Ugandan-made Kayoola electric buses from Kiira Motors Corporation.
At it :Gen. Katumba using his phone to pay his 2,000 /= fare while traveling on the Kayoola E-bus in Kampala -looking on is Dr. Monica Musenero
“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.
Dr. Monica Musenero was given an award for championing e-mobility in Uganda
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.
Gen. Katumba Wamala described the new green mobility service as a cornerstone of Uganda’s broader economic and infrastructure strategy, linking modern transport systems to productivity, environmental sustainability and cost efficiency.
All smiles: we are here to serve Ugandans and improve public transport by deploying green mobility solutions
He said the transition to electric mobility is intended to reduce reliance on imported fuel while stabilising commuter costs through the use of domestically generated electricity.
“Every electric mile driven is capital saved from fuel imports,” he said, adding that predictable fares would shield commuters from volatility in global oil markets.
“This milestone is our Tenfold Growth Strategy in motion. As we execute NDP IV, we recognize that to build a 500-billion-dollar economy, we must move our labor force with dignity, speed, and efficiency.
Eng. Ian John Kavuma at the helm of E-Bus Xpress service in Kampala and the rest of the country
We are systematically stripping away the chaos, pollution, and congestion from urban transit systems in Uganda. Utilizing our own electric buses, the Kayoola e-Buses, proudly built by Kiira Motors, we are steadily progressing toward true energy sovereignty. Every electric mile driven is capital saved from fuel imports, money that remains here to build our nation. Powered by our domestic grid, your transport fares will now be predictable and certain, shielded forever from global oil crises and geopolitical tensions,” Katumba added.
Earlier ,KCCA Executive Director ,Sharifah Buzeki said the long-awaited had been approved by Cabinet.
“Our target is that by the end of May we should have deployed eight electric buses as we observe how they will work and then we shall deploy more on other routes,” she said.
The pilot is expected to help authorities assess performance, route efficiency and public reception before scaling up the fleet.
“They will have short wait time on their stages; the buses will be labelled properly with their routes,” Buzeki added.
The rollout marks a significant step towards cleaner and more efficient urban transport, as Kampala joins other cities in the EAC region exploring sustainable electric mobility solutions.
