Uganda has officially launched the Made in Uganda Grand Trans-Africa Electric Expedition, a historic 30-day journey spanning over 13,000 kilometres across six African nations: Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Botswana, Eswatini, and South Africa.
The expedition serves as a powerful declaration of Uganda’s technological advancement and industrial leadership, presenting homegrown solutions that address continental challenges in mobility and climate change. The journey, powered by the Kayoola Electric Coach 13M (Model 2025), manufactured by Kiira Motors Corporation (KMC), is a rolling exhibition of African ingenuity, proving that locally-designed technology is reliable and scalable for long-distance, cross-border use.
This mission is positioned to activate new regional markets, position Uganda as a hub for high-value manufacturing, and reinforce a Pan-African vision for industrial resilience and unity.
The successful flag-off ceremony celebrated this achievement, which was made possible through a strategic public-private partnership, acknowledging the critical participation of MTN Uganda as the lead sponsor and connectivity partner, the Made in Uganda (MIU) initiative, Kiira Motors Corporation (KMC), and the Science, Technology, and Innovation Secretariat (STI-OP).
Highlighting the practical application of this technology for urban development, Gen. Katumba Wamala, the Minister of Works and Transport, emphasized the future of public transport solutions. “It is very evident that mass transport is the answer to the future of the city”. He stated: “As we flag off this historic expedition, we are sending a message to the world: Uganda believes in its people, its technology, and Africa’s capacity to shape a sustainable future. This is a journey of belief, innovation, and proof in motion”.
Dr. Monica Musenero, the Minister for Science, Technology & Innovation (STI Secretariat), affirmed the expedition’s wider continental significance. “This expedition represents a bold vision for Africa’s industrial transformation. It shows that with creativity, investment, and collaboration, our continent can lead in technology and sustainability”.
Mr. Ibrahim Senyonga, the General Manager, Enterprise Business Unit ant MTN Uganda said that: “This is more than a sponsorship; it is a strategic alliance uniting two African innovators in a shared vision for a truly connected, digitized, and sustainable continent. Just as Kiira spearheads the ‘Green Mobility’ revolution, MTN is leading the ‘Green Digital’ revolution. By actively providing the digital backbone for this zero-emission journey, we are validating that e-mobility is not a luxury, but a crucial form of climate action, fully aligned with MTN’s firm pledge to achieve Net-Zero by 2040. We have built Africa’s future: Green, digitized, and future-proof.”
The Made in Uganda Grand Trans-Africa Electric Expedition is a powerful symbol of Africa’s ambition and resilience. As the Kayoola Electric Coach traverses the continent, it carries a core message: African solutions can solve African challenges, redefining the future of transport, climate action, and industrial growth.
