Business & Management
EfD-Mak Court Kiira Motors Corporation on Greening the Transport Sector in Uganda
Compiled by Joseph Buwule & Jane Anyango
On 17th September, 2024 a team of EfD-Mak, and Inclusive Green Economy (IGE) fellows led by Uganda’s Policy Engagement Specialist Dr. Peter Babyenda visited Uganda’s Pioneer Motor Vehicle Company engaged in the production of Electric and solar powered vehicles –the Kiira Motors Corporation (KMC).
The Kiira Motors Corporation represents a significant achievement in Uganda’s technological and industrial sectors, showcasing the country’s commitment to innovation and sustainable development in the automotive industry.
As part of the broader effort to engage key policymakers in discussions on sustainable development, the visiting team from EfD-Mak included representatives from Government Ministries and Agencies namely; the National Planning Authority, the Ministry of Water and Environment, and the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development.
These ministry officials are crucial in formulating Uganda’s National Development Plan, and seeing Kiira Motors’ operations firsthand, offers a real-world perspective on how green technologies can be integrated into the country’s future industrial growth.
The Kiira Motors plant, seated on 100 acres is located in Jinja district in Eastern Uganda. The team toured the industrial park to witness the intersection between innovative vehicle production and environmental sustainability.
Representing the Director EfD-Uganda, the country’s IGE Engagement specialist Dr. Peter Babyenda said, the current EfD Center’s focus is on reducing emissions through cleaner, more efficient energy sources aligned perfectly with Kiira Motors production of electric and solar vehicles. “We selected Kiira Motors because it is championing the production of efficient cars,” he said, adding that the partnership can help Uganda transition towards cleaner transportation systems.
KMC is a Ugandan automotive company that was established in collaboration with Makerere University’s College of Engineering, Design, Art, and Technology (CEDAT). The company is pioneering the production of electric buses in Uganda. with an impressive plant capable of manufacturing 2,500 vehicles annually. The plant is contributing to the country’s shift away from fossil fuels and towards electric vehicles (EVs), significantly reducing emissions.
Babyenda noted that collaboration between researchers, policymakers, and private-sector innovators like Kiira Motors is essential for achieving Uganda’s climate goals. “How can we ensure that we reduce emissions to meet our Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement?” he asked, pointing out that integrating electric vehicles into public transportation systems is one solution.
Babyenda also highlighted the importance of supporting small-scale operators, such as taxi owners, in transitioning to cleaner vehicles like Kiira’s electric buses.
Dr. John Seruyange, a researcher from the EfD-Mak Center applauded the synergies between EfD’s research focus on energy efficiency and Kiira Motors’ production of electric vehicles. “We’re seeing that Uganda has taken a significant step towards energy transitions, and visiting Kiira Motors is a learning opportunity for us to see how these advancements align with our research,” he said.
The Director of Product Development at Kiira Motors Eng. Richard Madanda, provided an in-depth tour of the plant, explaining the company’s environmentally friendly processes from water recycling systems to tree-planting initiatives. “The facility exemplifies sustainable industrial practices and we are mindful of the market and the environment because the Kiira Motors’ production of electric vehicles directly reduces greenhouse gas emissions”, said Mandanda
Makerere University is playing a pivotal role in Uganda’s pursuit of a green economy and industrial growth. It is hoped that the collaboration between the EfD-Mak Center and Kiira Motors will be a significant step towards creating a cleaner and greener Uganda.
The Genesis of Kiira Motors Corporation
Early Beginnings (2007-2008): The journey of Kiira Motors Corporation began in 2007 when Makerere University, led by Prof. Sandy Stevens Tickodri-Togboa and Mr. Paul Isaac Musasizi, joined an international consortium for the Vehicle Design Summit (VDS) organized by MIT. The consortium aimed to develop the Vision 200, a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle targeting the Indian market. Makerere University, the only African participant, was responsible for designing and integrating the Low Power Electronics and Data Networking Systems. The Vision 200 was completed and showcased at the Dream Exposition in Torino and the Museo Nazionale dell’Automobile in Turin from September to November 2008, marking a significant achievement and laying the groundwork for future projects.
Establishment of CRTT and Kiira EV Project (2008-2011): Following the success of the Vision 200, Makerere University established the Center for Research in Transportation Technologies (CRTT) in December 2008, officially approved on January 1, 2011. CRTT aimed to drive research and innovation in transportation, particularly focusing on green mobility solutions for Africa. The Kiira EV Project, the first initiative under CRTT, involved designing and building a two-seater plug-in electric vehicle. The name “Kiira EV” was suggested by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni during a visit in December 2009, and the project received financial support from the Presidential Initiative Fund for Science and Technology Innovations, enabling its development from January to October 2011.
Launch and Expansion (2011-2016): The Kiira EV, Africa’s first electric vehicle, was launched by President Museveni on November 24, 2011. The successful completion of this project garnered widespread recognition and led to the proposal for establishing a vehicle manufacturing plant in Uganda. The Kiira Motors Project (KMP) was presented to the President and government officials in December 2011, receiving strong support. KMP continued to advance with the development of the Kiira EV SMACK, an electric hybrid vehicle unveiled in Kenya in November 2014, and the Kayoola Solar Bus, an electric solar bus launched in February 2016.
These innovations underscored the importance of green mobility and Uganda’s role in sustainable transportation solutions.
Recognition and Impact (2016-Present): Kiira Motors Corporation (KMC) earned the 2016 Frost & Sullivan Visionary Innovation Leadership Award in Sustainable Mobility for its contributions to green mobility. The organization also advanced scientific knowledge through international conferences and played a key role in shaping the East African Community Automotive Industry Development Policy.
Jane Anyango is the Communication Officer EfD Uganda
The Public Investment Management (PIM) Centre of Excellence has commenced a three-day refresher training for members of the Development Committee (DC) of the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development. The training, which began today in Jinja, aims to enhance the analytical and technical skills of committee members who are tasked with reviewing government projects submitted by various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
The training was today February 19, 2025, officially opened by Dr. Hennery Ssebukeera, who represented the Director of the Budget Directorate. In his opening remarks, Dr. Ssebukeera emphasized the importance of the refresher course in enabling the Development Committee to effectively conduct quality reviews and fulfill its mandate as a key gatekeeper of the Public Investment Plan. He noted that the training would improve the participants’ ability to appraise and implement public investments in line with the Public Investment Management System (PIMS) framework.
Speaking at the same event, Prof. Ibrahim Mike Okumu, representing the Centre Director, Prof. Edward Bbaale, expressed the Centre’s gratitude for the opportunity to contribute to Uganda’s PIM cycle. He highlighted the importance of the training in harmonizing the relationship between the MDAs that draft project proposals and the analysts who review them. Prof. Okumu reiterated the Centre’s commitment to building the capacity of government officials in Public Investment Management, thereby supporting the country’s development aspirations.
The need for this training was identified during the Development Committee retreat held in 2024, which revealed limited capacity among DC members in project appraisal, specifically in reviewing prefeasibility and feasibility reports, Dr Ssebukeera noted. In response, the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, in collaboration with the PIM Centre of Excellence, organized this refresher course to strengthen the participants’ technical and analytical skills.
DC is a statutory committee of government that evaluates the viability of public investment projects. Its statutory composition includes: Office of the President, Office of the Prime Minister, Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, National Planning Authority, Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Authority (PPDA), Office of the Solicitor General, Ministry of Gender Labour and Social Development, National Environment Management Authority, Equal Opportunities Commission, Ministry or Work and Transport, Ministry of Water and Environment, Public Private Partnership Unit. The PIM Center of Excellence was recently admitted to the Development Committee as a non-voting member.
The training will cover a wide range of topics, including the role of PIMS in the country’s development goals, the logical flow of project profiles, costing, and the interpretation of interconnections between prefeasibility/feasibility reports and financial models. Additionally, participants will explore the role of public-private partnerships in national development.
Dr. Ssebukeera encouraged participants to actively engage in discussions, share their expertise, and apply the knowledge gained from the training. He noted that this engagement would empower the Development Committee to effectively perform its role in reviewing and approving public investment projects, ensuring they align with national priorities and deliver value for money.
The Public Investment Management Centre of Excellence, established by the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development in partnership with Makerere University School of Economics, continues to play a pivotal role in building the capacity of MDAs in managing public investments. To date, the Centre has trained over 300 officers and produced several research papers, reflecting its commitment to enhancing public investment management in Uganda.
The training in Jinja is expected to enhance the participants’ capacity to effectively review government projects, thus supporting the effective implementation of Uganda’s Public Investment Plan.
Business & Management
Somali Officials Complete Executive Training in Infrastructure Asset Management at CoBAMS
Six Somali government officials have successfully completed a three-day Executive Training in Infrastructure Asset Management, held at Makerere University’s Public Investment Management Centre of Excellence (PIM CoE). The training, funded by the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), took place from January 27 to 29, 2025, and aimed to enhance regional capacity in infrastructure planning and management.
The training brought together senior civil servants and policymakers from Somalia, equipping them with practical knowledge and strategies for sustainable infrastructure asset management. It also fostered valuable cross-border collaboration, facilitated by UNCDF Uganda, which played a crucial role in connecting Makerere University with the Government of Somalia.
The program was delivered by experienced faculty from Makerere University’s College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), alongside experts from the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED) and the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA). A special session was also led by the Makerere University Bursar, offering practical insights into financial management in infrastructure projects.
Speaking at the opening of the training, Mr. Ncube Mkhululi, the Regional Technical Advisor for UNCDF emphasized the importance of infrastructure asset management in driving sustainable economic growth. He highlighted UNCDF’s commitment to supporting capacity-building initiatives in developing economies, noting that effective infrastructure planning and management are critical to national development. He also expressed confidence in Makerere University’s expertise in delivering high-impact executive training programs for government officials.
During the closing ceremony, Prof. Bbaale Edward, the Principal of the College of Business and Management Sciences expressed gratitude to all partners, including UNCDF, Makerere University management, and the PIM CoE faculty, for their commitment to making the training a success. He emphasized Makerere University’s ongoing efforts to internationalize its research-led agenda, positioning itself as a hub for regional knowledge exchange.
UNCDF Program Manager, Mr. Joel Mundua, the commended the participants for their dedication and encouraged them to share the acquired knowledge with fellow officials in Somalia. This was reaffirmed by one of the participants, who pledged to apply and disseminate the learnings within their respective departments.
Mr. Sunday Denis Aliti, the Program Officer at UNCDF highlighted the importance of ensuring that infrastructure asset management strategies are practical, adaptable, and aligned with national development goals. He commended Makerere University for its leadership in knowledge transfer and regional training and encouraged continued collaboration between universities, governments, and international development partners to strengthen institutional capacity.
Dr. John Sseruyange, Manager of the PIM CoE, applauded both the participants and the expert trainers who contributed to the program. He reiterated the Centre’s commitment to advancing infrastructure asset management through continued training and collaboration with regional stakeholders.
As the training concluded, participants departed with valuable insights and practical tools to improve infrastructure management in Somalia and beyond. The success of this initiative highlights Makerere University’s role as a leading institution in public investment management, fostering capacity-building efforts that drive sustainable development across Africa.
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