Uganda’s electric mobility ambitions recorded a landmark achievement as the fully electric Kayoola E-Coach, built by Kiira Motors Corporation (KMC), successfully arrived in Francistown, Botswana. The stop marks a key phase of the “Made in Uganda Grand Trans-Africa Electric Expedition,” a multi-country journey designed to demonstrate the performance, durability, and commercial potential of Uganda’s locally manufactured electric buses across Africa.
The team was received by Uganda’s Ambassador to Botswana, Kintu Nyago, together with members of the Ugandan community and diplomatic staff. The warm welcome underscored the significance of the project for Uganda’s industrial and technological aspirations, especially as the expedition moves toward Gaborone for engagements with government and private sector stakeholders.
The expedition began in Kampala on November 20, an ambitious journey covering an estimated 13,000 kilometres. As the bus set off, Ministers Edward Katumba Wamala and Monica Musenero praised the initiative as a demonstration of Uganda’s engineering progress and its readiness to compete on the global automotive stage. They described the mission as a bold statement of African innovation and a showcase of homegrown solutions to modern transport challenges.
Since departure, the Kayoola E-Coach has travelled thousands of kilometres across varying terrain and weather conditions without major mechanical issues, boosting confidence in Uganda’s capacity to develop reliable long-distance electric transport systems. Ambassador Nyago lauded the achievement, saying the arrival in Botswana signals Uganda’s growing contribution to Africa’s green mobility agenda.
The milestone also resonated strongly with Ugandan professionals in Botswana, who celebrated the expedition as a source of national pride. Officials said the successful entry into Botswana is crucial for expanding Uganda’s footprint in the Southern African Development Community region, where demand for sustainable transport is rising.
From Botswana, the expedition will continue into South Africa for demonstrations, exhibitions, and high-level engagements before concluding in Cape Town. For Uganda, the Kayoola E-Coach’s progress is more than a technical test, it is a tangible sign that the country’s electric mobility vision is already in motion across the continent.
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