President Museveni has hosted a luncheon at State House, Entebbe, to celebrate the successful completion of the Presidential Pearl to Cape Expedition 2025, a landmark journey by Uganda’s locally manufactured Kayoola EVS electric coach from Kampala to Cape Town and back.
The expedition, which covered more than 13,700 kilometres across several African countries, showcased Uganda’s growing capabilities in science, technology, innovation, electric mobility and local vehicle manufacturing.
Speaking during the luncheon, President Museveni congratulated Kiira Motors Corporation, led by Chief Executive Officer Paul Isaac Musasizi, together with the engineers, scientists and partners behind the project, describing the achievement as a demonstration of Uganda’s ability to design, manufacture and operate modern electric vehicles.
Museveni said the milestone reflects Africa’s industrial transformation and Uganda’s vision of building a self-sustaining economy driven by local production, value addition and technological innovation.
“Kiira Motors represents the revival of Africa’s industrial potential through modern innovation, enabling Ugandans to develop products that can serve both domestic and regional markets,” the President said.
He added that government would continue supporting industries that create employment opportunities, strengthen manufacturing capacity and promote value addition.
To accelerate the country’s electric mobility agenda, President Museveni directed relevant ministries and government agencies to fast-track measures aimed at expanding Kiira Motors’ production capacity, increasing government procurement of locally manufactured buses, strengthening electric public transport systems and supporting local battery manufacturing through strategic partnerships.
He also welcomed collaboration with private investors to mobilise financing for battery production and expansion of the Kiira Vehicle Plant, noting that Uganda must move quickly to remain competitive in science, technology and advanced manufacturing.
The Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Jonard Asiimwe, commended the President’s support towards innovation initiatives, saying government backing has created an environment where Ugandan scientists and engineers can develop solutions with continental impact.
The Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, Dr Monica Musenero Masanza, described the Kampala–Cape Town electric bus expedition as a major milestone in Uganda’s industrialisation journey.
She said the success of the expedition demonstrated the reliability of a vehicle designed and manufactured by Ugandans, proving that local engineering can compete on the African market.
Musenero noted that Kiira Motors’ contribution extends beyond vehicle production, highlighting its role in developing engineering skills, strengthening local supply chains, promoting technology transfer and creating employment opportunities.
She also recognised the contribution of partnerships between government, academia and the private sector, particularly Makerere University’s role in supporting research and innovation that contributed to Kiira Motors’ development.
Kiira Motors Chief Executive Officer Paul Isaac Musasizi said the Pearl to Cape Expedition had demonstrated the reliability, efficiency and commercial potential of Uganda’s electric buses.
Musasizi said the journey proved that electric buses can help reduce transport costs while positioning Uganda as a key player in Africa’s automotive industry.
He thanked government for supporting the establishment of the Kiira Vehicle Plant, describing it as one of Africa’s largest bus manufacturing facilities.
He further called for continued support through long-term procurement commitments, expansion of electric public transport systems and investment in local battery manufacturing to meet growing regional demand.
Meanwhile, MTN Uganda Chief Executive Officer Sylvia Mulinge reaffirmed the company’s commitment to supporting Uganda’s digital transformation and innovation agenda.
She said MTN supported the expedition through connectivity solutions, real-time vehicle tracking across countries and cashless payment systems powered by MTN Mobile Money.
Mulinge said the partnership demonstrated Uganda’s ability to develop technology-driven solutions for Africa and pledged continued collaboration with Kiira Motors in areas such as connected vehicles and smart fleet management systems.
The luncheon was attended by government officials, scientists, engineers, private sector leaders, development partners and representatives from Kiira Motors Corporation, MTN Uganda, Britam Insurance and other stakeholders who supported the success of the expedition.
