Uganda has unveiled a pioneering plan in East Africa to transition its entire public transport sector to electric power. This ambitious strategy, set to be implemented by 2030, aims to convert the nation’s buses and the popular motorcycle taxis known as “boda-bodas” to electric energy to reduce environmental pollution and stimulate the domestic manufacturing industry.
The Ugandan Ministry of Works and Transport announced that this National E-Mobility Strategy will require a total investment of $1.7 billion. To date, over $800 million in funding commitments have been secured through initial mobilization efforts, with the remaining costs expected to be financed by domestic oil revenue and international partners.
The strategy is projected to contribute 12.5% to Uganda’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 2040. Furthermore, it aims to create over 500,000 new “green” jobs, significantly boosting the national economy. A key target is to reduce carbon emissions in Kampala and other major cities by 25%.
Uganda is not relying solely on imported vehicles for this transition; instead, it is focusing on enhancing its domestic manufacturing capacity. The state-owned Kira Motors Corporation (KMC), located in Jinja, has been identified as the backbone of this strategy. The plant currently has an annual assembly capacity of 10,000 vehicles, 2,500 of which are buses.
So far, 37 electric buses have been assembled at the Kira Motors plant, 27 of which were built entirely by local professionals. Uganda plans to increase its use of local components from the current 20% to 65% by 2030. This move is intended to transform the country from a raw material exporter into a hub for technology and manufacturing.
To expand the use of electric vehicles, the government plans to build 3,500 charging stations by 2030. This means there will be at least one charging point every 50 kilometers, allowing drivers to travel across the country without fear of running out of power.
Uganda’s capital, Kampala, is known to be one of the most polluted cities in the world. Fuel-powered motorcycles and aging buses are the primary causes of this pollution. The transition to electric transport will not only improve air quality but also provide the public with better transport services free from noise pollution and exhaust fumes.
While the plan is highly promising, it requires extensive work. Currently, of the millions of motorcycles in Uganda, only about 5,000 are electric—representing less than 1% of the total fleet. Consequently, achieving the 2030 goal will require replacing thousands of vehicles annually and ensuring a steady power supply.
The Ugandan government is providing tax exemptions and other incentives for electric vehicle importers and manufacturers to encourage growth in the sector. Experts say this grand journey will make Uganda a leading example of energy transition in East Africa. If the country’s industrial policy succeeds, Uganda is expected to soon become a technologically advanced and pollution-free zone.
