Uganda has officially launched the “Made in Uganda Grand Trans-Africa Electric Expedition,” a landmark 30-day journey covering over 13,000 kilometres across six African nations, including Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Botswana, Eswatini, and South Africa.
The expedition, themed “From the Pearl to the Cape,” aims to showcase Ugandan electric vehicle technology, promote sustainable transport solutions, and strengthen regional trade and cooperation.
Flagged off from Kampala, the caravan is led by Kiira Motors Corporation’s Kayoola E-Coach 13M Model 2025, a premium all-electric intercity bus with a 500-kilometre range on a single charge.
The vehicle demonstrates Uganda’s engineering capabilities and positions the country as a regional hub for high-value electric vehicle production.
Speaking at the launch, Minister of Works and Transport, Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala, described the expedition as a “powerful symbol of national confidence and continental ambition.”
He added, “As we flag off this historic expedition, we are sending a message to the world: Uganda believes in its people, its technology, and Africa’s capacity to shape a sustainable future. This is more than a journey—it is a declaration of what Ugandan innovation can achieve.”
Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation, Monica Musenero, highlighted the broader significance of the mission for Africa’s industrial and technological development.
“The Kayoola Electric Coach is not just crossing borders—it is carrying Africa’s ambition and resilience. This expedition represents a bold vision for industrial transformation, regional unity, and the activation of new markets, positioning Uganda as a leader in sustainable mobility,” she said.
The journey includes major stops in Francistown, Gaborone, Pretoria, Johannesburg, Mbabane, and Cape Town, where the team will exhibit Ugandan innovations alongside select agricultural products.
The expedition also features a series of policy and business engagements with host governments, private-sector stakeholders, and the Ugandan diaspora, with key meetings scheduled in Gaborone on November 29, Johannesburg on December 2, and Cape Town on December 6.
Private sector partners have actively supported the initiative. Swangz Avenue, responsible for the expedition’s branding, described the mission as “history in motion,” while MTN Uganda hailed it as a milestone for engineering and innovation in Uganda.
Kiira Motors Corporation emphasized that the Kayoola E-Coach 13M Model 2025 is a breakthrough in Africa’s electric mobility sector, designed to meet the continent’s growing transportation needs sustainably.
“With its 500-kilometre range on a single charge, the Kayoola E-Coach sets a new standard for electric mobility in the region,” the company said.
The expedition is scheduled to conclude in Cape Town on December 5–6, 2025, after which the team will begin its return journey northward. Organizers describe the mission as a significant step in positioning Uganda as a leader in electric vehicle technology and in strengthening trade and innovation links across Southern Africa.
