Uganda is pushing to take its homegrown electric mobility technology continental, partnering with MTN as the Kayoola E-Coach electric bus, built by Kiira Motors, continues its landmark expedition from Kampala to Cape Town and back. The collaboration aims to fuse Uganda’s engineering breakthroughs with MTN’s vast infrastructure to accelerate e-mobility, connectivity, and digital innovation across Africa.
A Ugandan delegation, led by High Commissioner Paul Amoru, met MTN South Africa’s Enterprise Solutions General Manager Sudipto Moitra in Johannesburg to explore public-private partnerships that can drive industrial transformation. Their meeting came shortly after the Kayoola E-Coach arrived in Johannesburg, having travelled 4,916 km, 39% of its planned 13,000 km route, and slashed carbon emissions by 2,270 kg.
Officials say scaling Uganda’s electric bus technology requires strong regional partnerships. Catherine Muwumuza of the Science, Technology and Innovation Secretariat said MTN’s continental presence is key to unlocking wider adoption, adding that mobility solutions depend heavily on reliable connectivity.
Moitra affirmed MTN’s shift from a traditional telecom operator to a broader technology enterprise, saying the company is ready to co-create and support Uganda’s innovation agenda. Amoru welcomed the network’s engagement, praising the company for responding to President Yoweri Museveni’s call for stronger private-sector involvement in technological development.
Both sides signalled a shared ambition: to strengthen Africa’s innovation ecosystems and scale solutions capable of accelerating the continent’s digital and industrial future.
Uganda-built electric bus reaches Botswana as Kayoola E-Coach marks major milestone
