On September 26, 2025, Uganda made history once again. We proudly witnessed the commissioning of the Kiira Vehicle Plant by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, a bold milestone in Uganda’s journey toward industrialization, sustainable development, and regional leadership in green mobility innovation.
From a university lab to a national legacy, the story of Kiira Motors Corporation (KMC) is one of vision, perseverance, and purpose. It began on November 24, 2011, when President Museveni unveiled Africa’s first electric vehicle, the Kiira EV, a creation of the talented scholars at Makerere University under the Presidential Initiative on Science and Technology. That spark has now grown into an industrial beacon for the continent.
Strategically located in Jinja, the Kiira Vehicle Plant is now recognized as the largest, most advanced, and most capable bus manufacturing facility on the African continent. Equipped with a comprehensive Body Shop, Paint Shop, Chassis Systems Integration, Trim & Assembly, Quality Inspection and Testing, and Test Track, supported by an in-house Design and Engineering Outfit, the plant is built not only for production, but also for innovation, resilience, and industrial growth.
This infrastructure is designed to drive local industrial growth, enhance supply chain resilience, and serve as a catalyst for economic transformation. It’s not just about vehicles, it’s about an ecosystem. The plant is projected to create over 14,000 jobs across the mobility value chain and aims to achieve 65% local content through strategic sourcing and supplier development. This initiative will stimulate local Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), revive Jinja’s industrial capacity, and spark new economic linkages nationwide.
In her remarks, Hon. Dr. Monica Musenero Masanza, Minister for Science, Technology & Innovation – Office of the President, highlighted the transformative impact of the plant.
“Today, we witness what was once a far-off dream realised as the Biggest, Most Competent and Most Capable Bus Manufacturing Plant on the Continent, the Kiira Vehicle Plant,” she stated. “We have demonstrated that our technology and our process is fit for purpose, and with this plant, we are equipped to meet the burgeoning demand for our products both at home and across the continent,” she stated .
KMC’s flagship products, the Kayoola EVS electric city bus and Kayoola Coaches, are purpose-built for African roads and realities. Designed with Wi-Fi, USB charging, HVAC, air suspension for rough terrain, and accessibility for persons with special needs, these vehicles represent comfort, safety, and sustainability.
The corporation’s future plans include the development of a hybrid SUV, a pick-up, and a van platform tailored to institutional and fleet clients. KMC is ambitiously targeting a scale-up from an initial installed capacity of 2,500 vehicles to 10,000 vehicles annually in the medium term.
The electric buses directly contribute to Uganda’s 2050 Net-Zero Carbon Emissions target and represent a bold step toward a sustainable future. Uganda, a country that has historically spent over $800 million annually on vehicle imports, is now poised to become a “net source of e-mobility solutions.” This move will not only reduce the national import bill but also create thousands of jobs and establish Uganda as a leader in Africa’s green industrial revolution.
The successful commissioning of the plant fueled by a $120 million investment marks just the beginning. As noted by the KMC CEO Mr. Paul Issac Musasizi ,during his remarks, “We now face the hard work of converting capacity into consistent production, orders into deliveries, and assets into sustainable revenue.”
To fully unlock the plant’s potential, Kiira Motors Corporation calls upon catalytic investment to support working capital and production scale-up, as well as a predictable domestic offtake from government ministries, departments, agencies, academic institutions, and corporates. These are strategic priorities that turn purchasing power into production power building the financial and policy infrastructure needed for sustained industrial growth.
This is not only an industrial policy, it’s a national strategy. With the right investment, predictable demand, and continued public-private collaboration, Uganda can unlock a new chapter of economic growth and mobility leadership.
Recognition;
This landmark achievement would not have been possible without: the Leadership of Makerere University – Prof Arch Barnabas Nawangwe; Uganda Development Corporation – Mr. Fred Ogene and Mr. Emmanuel Mutahunga; The Leadership of the Former Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation – Mr. Elioda, Mr Obong, Mr Emmanuel Mugunga; Technology Consults; NEC General James Mugira and Luwero Industries General Sabiti Muzeyi; the Presidential CEO Forum has been an invaluable convening force in this journey for Policy Advocacy and thought leadership; Technology Consults – Dr Stephen Mukiibi, Dr Bernard Kariko Buhwezi, Eng Peter Mugumya CEO and the teams; Dr Monica Musenero and her team at STI-OP for the Exceptional Leadership; Our Clients UCAA, Uganda Airlines and the wider Ecosystem for the Support in the Market Place. With this continued leadership and support across public and private sectors, we can build the financial architecture, policy clarity, and market certainty KMC needs to thrive.
With President Museveni continued guidance and unwavering support, Kiira Motors Corporation is committed to disciplined execution, product excellence, and inclusive industrial transformation. As the KMC CEO affirmed, “We will be accountable stewards of voted resources and bold entrepreneurs of national potential.”
Uganda is no longer just a consumer in the global mobility value chain, we are now a net source of e-mobility solutions for Africa. This is more than a plant. It is a promise delivered. A dream realized. And a future we’re ready to build – TOGETHER!!!
