The First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of East African Community Affairs, Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga, has reiterated Uganda government’s commitment to a full transition to electric mobility in public transport by 2030 in a concerted effort to ensure sustainable development.
Kadaga said that the nation is also fostering an environment ripe for innovation in the green energy sector, with favorable policies, subsidies, and tax incentives aimed at reducing carbon emissions and promoting greener energy.
Kadaga inspecting the vehicle production facilities at the Kiira Vehicle Plant during the E-Mobility Expo
“The Government of Uganda through the Science, Technology and Innovation Secretariat –Office of the President has taken definitive steps towards building a sustainable and scalable mobility ecosystem. The Government is positioning Uganda as a net source rather than a consumer of mobility solution in Africa, Kadaga stated .
She was speaking as the guest of honour at a one day Kiira Vehicle Plant Open Day and Mobility Expo , the first of a kind on the African continent .
The E- Mobility Expo that attracted hundred of guests was intended to build trust and brand equity, spotlight e Mobility Industry , offer public accountability and provide a platform to inform, educate and influence the masses about the progress and prospects of e Mobility in Uganda and African Continent .
The First Deputy Prime Minister noted that with a projected population increase to 75 million by 2040, Uganda is in a prime position to leverage the e-mobility revolution, further intensify the demand for sustainable transportation solutions. Uganda’s focus on electric vehicles (EVs) over the next 20 years demonstrates significant progress.
“Electric buses and motorcycles are becoming a common sight on our roads. By 2040, this strategic embrace of EVs is expected to significantly enhance Uganda’s economy, aiming to contribute 12.5% to the national GDP,” she told an excited audience.
The e- mobility initiative, she explained will generate over 500,000 environmentally-focused jobs, achieve a 65% local production rate in the EV value chain, and reduce pollution by 25%. To support these ambitious targets, Uganda plans to invest USD 1.74 billion through 2028.
Already Uganda experiences a high import bill for fuel costing the country over USDs.2 billion per year and by championing green mobility solutions there should be a significantly reduction in the colossal foreign exchange drain.
“The running and repair bills for EVs are also much lower, as already demonstrated by the first Kayoola electric buses to be deployed on our roads in 2019, which have already covered over 100,000 kilometres in five years without registering a single technical problem, Kadaga revealed.
Dr. Emmanuel Freddie Mugunga , Under Secretary Ministry of Water planting a tree at the KVP
Uganda has been proactive in fostering the growth of its e-mobility sector through a variety of supportive policies aimed at promoting sustainable development by lowering costs, providing financial incentives, and building necessary infrastructure thus paving the way for a significant increase in electric vehicle uptake, positioning itself as a leader in Africa’s shift towards sustainable mobility.
Uganda automakers Kiira Motors Corporation (KMC) is spearheading the e-mobility revolution and Uganda offers a unique investment opportunity as it lays down the framework for becoming a regional hub for EV manufacturing.
“I therefore ,urge investors to explore Africa-led innovation by visiting Kiira Motors, Africa’s trailblazer in EV manufacturing to witness firsthand ingenuity of local startups crafting localized solutions to Africa’s mobility challenges,” Kadaga added.
The Minister of Science ,Technology and Innovation , Dr. Monica Musenero told the guests that under the coordination of the STI Secretariat, the e-Mobility ecosystem has been organized through the e-Mobility consortium that currently comprises over 80 e-Mobility value chain actors in Uganda. This is across the 6 clusters of: research, engineering ,manufacturing, energy, distribution, transport operations, value chain financing, policy and digital infrastructure.
Musenero explained that government working with the consortium has developed the National E- Mobility Strategy. The vision of the strategy is to have “Uganda fully transitioned to E-Mobility in public transport and motorcycles by 2030 and passenger vehicle sales by 2040”.
The Executive Chairman of Kiiira Motors Prof. sandy Stevens Tickodri-Togboa said that company is committed to partnering with industry leaders to position Uganda as a net source of e-Mobility tools and solutions. “The products you have experienced today exemplify the significant progress we have made towards achieving this goal,” he said.
Prof. Tickdori-Togboa thanked Members of Parliament for their support towards development of Uganda’s nascent automotive industry; Ministry of Works and Transport for their assistance in the registration of the Kiira Motors products, Ministry of Finance Planning
and Economic Development for their unwavering support in facilitating the availability of the approved capitalization for Kiira Motors Corporation . He also recognized and thanked the National Enterprise Corporation for the great work in construction of the Kiira Vehicle Plant in Jinja as well as the collaboration in production of Buses at Luweero Industries, Nakasongola.
Major General Sabiiti Muzeyi who represented the National Enterprise Corporation (NEC) MD Lt-Gen. James Mugira saluted President Yoweri Museveni for his strategic foresight and untiring support for the development Kiira Motors which is a national project of strategic importance .
In addition to providing e-mobility solutions, Gen. Sabiiti Muzeyi said that KMC is expected to create over 14,000 jobs for Ugandans.
He highlighted the many opportunities associated with e-mobility that include charging infrastructure management and manufacture, maintenance, service and repair of electric vehicles, spares and parts supply, manufacture of batteries, e-waste management, R&D on advanced materials and artificial intelligence.
Others opportunities are the production of synthetic materials such as carbon fibre from the oil and gas industry (reduces the burden of carrying heavy weight by electric
He pledged the National Enterprise Corporation (NEC) continued support, collaboration and partnership in this important e-mobility journey.
