On 22^nd October 2024, Makerere University Innovation Pod, in partnership with Kiira Motors Corporation, and the United Nations Development Programme in Uganda, launched a skilling program designed to equip students with expertise in electric mobility and related technologies for industrial application.

The launch team consisted of the Executive Chairman of Kiira Motors Corporation (KMC) Prof. Tickodri-Togboa, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative Ms. Nwanne Vwede-Obahor, and Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi (Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic Affairs) who represented the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, Prof. Gorettie Nabanoga, Chairperson of the Steering Committee of the Makerere University Innovation Pod (Mak-UniPod) and Dr. Peter Turyakira, the Acting Manager of Makerere University Innovation Pod (Mak-UniPod).

This strategic direction of building the required pool of young people to drive Uganda’s electric mobility such as production of electric cars targets Makerere University students who are not only excelling in the academics, but also interested in innovation and development.

“When I heard about this project, I thought about this innovation. I realized it comes with so many opportunities starting from employing many people, but also helping in the world agenda in transiting to green energy. When the call was shared, I thought I could grab this opportunity and also contribute to the sector that is seemingly a virgin one,” remarked Twinomujuni Mutunji, a student selected from the Bachelor of Electrical Engineering program.

The first cohort consists of a total of 25 students selected from Electrical, Biomedical, Software, Mechanical, Computer Engineering, and Bachelor of Science in Physics courses. Of the selected students, 12 are female and 13 are male. They were selected in a competitive process where only those with grades in the first and second upper classes were subjected to interviews and the top 25 were subsequently enrolled.

The program’s main objectives include providing participants with foundational knowledge in electric vehicle technology, renewable energy systems, battery cell technology, smart grid systems, and electric vehicle powertrains. It also emphasizes the development of practical skills through hands-on training and project-based learning, enabling students to apply theoretical concepts to real-world scenarios.

Additional goals of the initiative include promoting innovation and problem-solving by encouraging participants to explore solutions to challenges in clean energy technologies. It also seeks to prepare students for careers in the electric vehicle industry and its related sectors.

During the launch, Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi emphasized Makerere University’s pioneering role in innovation, stating that the electric mobility skilling programme represents a significant step in Uganda’s transition to green energy.

“As Makerere, we always pride ourselves on trailblazing. The electric vehicle journey and sector in this country started with the KiiraEv produced by staff and students from our College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology. The skills and knowledge led to the formation of the Kiira Motors Corporation. Through the launch of electric mobility skilling programme, Makerere University is committing itself to championing electric mobility and the green revolution,” said Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi.

Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi asserted that with this cohort taught and skilled in the field of electrical vehicles, they will be able to contribute to the transition from fossil fuel to green energy and also reduce pollution that is caused by traditional means of transport.

This country in terms of transport, we are very familiar with the two wheelers (a n influx of boda bodas) and these are the major polluters, how do we overcome this, it is the initiative that we are launching today. We really believe that through this mega start, by training experts in the field, we should able to transition to green energy and also reduce on our pollution rates,” Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi said.

Speaking on behalf of Mak-UniPod, Dr. Peter K. Turyakira said that the skilling program is timely because it comes at a time when the country is embracing the global shift toward electric mobility. “Uganda is embracing the global shift toward electric mobility. This program is intended to give young people the opportunity to develop skills, drive innovation in e-mobility, and influence the economic development of the country,” remarked Dr. Turyakira.

On her part, UNDP Resident Representative, Ms. Nwanne Vwede-Obahor, hailed the program as a solution to youth unemployment and a creator of green jobs in Uganda.

“Through this skilling programme, Makerere University and Kiira Motors Corporation are going to find solutions to the youth unemployment question and create green jobs in Uganda.”

She urged the students in the first cohort to make the most of this opportunity to contribute to the global green energy agenda and to shape their own futures.

“To the E-Mobility Skilling Program students, this is a great opportunity for you. I hope you understand that you are creating for yourself an opportunity, not open to others. You are part of a nascent group. You are part of history. You are the first cohort. The opportunities are beyond Uganda and Africa. There are many opportunities in the world. I am very glad to see the number of young ladies who are part of this first cohort,” she said.

Adding that; “I appeal to you today, take this opportunity and run with it, give it all you can. Immerse yourself into it and focus. I will create time to return, and have a special session with the ladies who are part of this cohort. I want to be sure that you have mentorship,” she stated.

Ms. Vwede-Obahor also explained that UNDP decided to fund the project as it aligns with Uganda’s development plans, especially its commitment to transitioning from fossil fuel-powered vehicles to electric ones.

“Why e-mobility? This is born out of the fact that we in the UN always support the national development aspirations of the countries where we serve,” she pointed out.

“In this regard, we noted that Uganda has recently taken initiatives to support the importation of electric vehicles into the country. We have taken note of the zero-emissions that Uganda wants to attain by 2063 which protect the environment,” she said.

The UNDP Resident Representative thanked Makerere University for the vision, and appealed to the private sector in Uganda to come to the Makerere University Innovation Pod (Mak-UniPod) to support the student innovators.

Recognizing Makerere University as the cradle of E-Mobility in Uganda, Prof. Tockodri-Togboa acknowledged the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe for being a very instrumental figure in this milestone and always providing guidance in this journey.

Prof. Tickodri-Togboa, the Chairman Board of Directors, Kiira Motors Corporation, said that he is grateful that this program has started and he believes, that it will significantly contribute to the transformation of the transport sector, address climate change concerns and save the environment from pollution.

“We are grateful for this opportunity to drive change. To the pioneering scholars on this program, today you have taken action and I believe the resulting progress will transform you and the lives of many as we build towards the future,” said Prof. Tickodri Togboa.

In the same spirit, he commended UNDP for supporting Makerere University innovators through the Makerere University Innovation Pod.

Engineer Fred Matovu of Kiira Motors Corporation outlined the program’s structure, detailing the seven modules that students will complete over the course of the year. These modules will range from introductory topics on electric vehicles to discussions of future trends in electric mobility.  Matovu explained that each module will be followed by assessments, and at the end of the program, every student will be required to complete a capstone project to showcase their knowledge and skills. The program will consist of both theoretical and practical sessions, starting with an introduction to the fundamentals of electric vehicles.

“As part of the program arrangement, we shall have theoretical classes where we shall give foundation knowledge and later we shall have practical sessions where the students shall be allowed to try what they have learned, so we shall take these students to spaces to get a hands-on experience on the usage of some of the technologies,” he said.

“The modules will start with an introduction to electrical vehicles, before going into the theoretical concepts, among others,” Matovu added.

Eng. Matovu explained that throughout the program, they will have sessions where they link students to mentors from their respective faculties in their primary programs at the University.

He further explained that they will do that in order to make sure that these students as they are getting electrical vehicle skills, they do not neglect their core academic programs. In this, they will also be having the mentors’ general report to confirm their performance in the respective academic programs at Makerere University.

Mr. Twinomujuni Mutunji, a student selected from the Bachelor of Electrical Engineering program, and who is part of the inaugural cohort of the E-Mobility Skilling Program, informed Mak Public Relations News team that he had always hoped to make an impact in the transition to green energy, which he views as a promising and untapped field.

Mr. Twinomujuni’s view fits in so well with the vast opportunities awaiting students who will remain focused and excel during this one-year E-Mobility skilling programme.

According to Engineer Fred Matovu, in addition to field tours, extensive capacity building, and a capstone project where each student will demonstrate what he or she has been doing, the successful students will feed into research and development, the E-Mobility industry, and the Kiira Motors Corporation Internship Programs.