KAMPALA – Uganda launched its first fleet of locally manufactured electric buses in the capital on Sunday, officials said on Monday, a centerpiece of the government’s strategy to modernize urban mobility and slash carbon emissions.
The rollout is managed by E-Bus Xpress Kiira Ltd., a subsidiary of the state-owned Kiira Motors Corporation. The buses, designed and assembled within Uganda, began operating on high-demand commuter corridors in Kampala’s central business district.
“This initiative demonstrates our commitment to modernize mobility, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and support locally manufactured solutions that create jobs,” Edward Katumba Wamala, Minister of Works and Transport, said during the launch event.
The fleet is part of an ambitious national roadmap. The government plans to scale the Kampala operation to 300 electric buses by June 2028, with an ultimate goal of 1,500 units across 14 cities. To support this, a network of 260 charging stations is currently under development.
Economic analysts view the move as a dual-purpose victory for President Yoweri Museveni’s “Buy Uganda Build Uganda” (BUBU) policy.
By producing the vehicles domestically, Uganda aims to reduce its import bill while positioning itself as a regional hub for green technology.
However, challenges remain. Kampala’s notorious traffic congestion and deteriorating road infrastructure may test the efficiency of the new mass transit system. Furthermore, the success of the transition will depend on the stability of the national power grid, which must now support a significant new industrial load.
