The visit showcased Kiira Motors' vital role in promoting sustainable development and cleaner transportation systems in Uganda.
A team from the Environment for Development Initiative-Makerere (EfD-Mak) and Inclusive Green Economy (IGE) fellows, led by Uganda’s Policy Engagement Specialist Dr. Peter Babyenda, recently visited Kiira Motors Corporation (KMC), Uganda’s pioneering automotive company producing electric and solar-powered vehicles.
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The EfD-Mak, launched in 2019 at Makerere University, works with government bodies, the private sector, and civil society to drive research and policy on environmental management. The visiting team, which included officials from the National Planning Authority, the Ministry of Water and Environment, and the Ministry of Finance, witnessed firsthand the potential of green technology at Kiira Motors.
Located on 100 acres in Jinja District, Kiira Motors is at the forefront of Uganda’s shift towards electric vehicles. The company, established in partnership with Makerere University’s College of Engineering, Design, Art, and Technology (CEDAT), is capable of producing 2,500 vehicles annually. This effort supports Uganda’s move away from fossil fuels, reducing emissions and advancing the country’s climate goals.
Dr. Babyenda highlighted Kiira Motors' efforts to create energy-efficient vehicles and called for collaboration to help Uganda meet its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement. He emphasised the need to support small-scale operators, such as taxi owners, in adopting cleaner vehicles like Kiira’s electric buses.
During the visit, Dr. John Seruyange, a researcher from EfD-Mak, praised the alignment of Kiira Motors’ production with Uganda’s green economy goals. Eng. Richard Madanda, Director of Product Development at Kiira Motors, led the team through the plant, showcasing eco-friendly initiatives like water recycling and tree planting.
The partnership between EfD-Mak and Kiira Motors is seen as a significant step toward achieving a cleaner, greener future for Uganda.