In a speech at the sixth Engineers Forum on December 5, the minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Elioda Tumwesigye, touted Kiira Motors Corporation Ltd newly acquired requisite capabilities and technological know-how to produce at least two electric buses a month.
"Government ministries, departments and agencies should consider buying these buses from Kiira Motors because they have the capacity to supply," Tumwesigye, flanked by the minister of Works and Transport Eng. Monica Azuba Ntege and Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development Matia Kasaija, said at Hotel Africana.
The new Kayoola electric bus, which carries 90 passengers, was showcased at the two-day engineers forum held under the theme; "The Engineer in the 4th Industrial Revolution."
The bus made a successful maiden trip from the UPDF's Luweero Industries in Nakasongola to the capital Kampala in just under two hours covering a distance of 150 kilometers.
Works and Transport Minister Azuba Ntege took a test drive. After the test drive, Azuba said, "Kayoola EVS is very comfortable and drives smoothly and the finishes are good and up to standard. We now need the necessary infrastructure including bus lanes. Kampala Capital City Authority should put in place the BRT infrastructure to decongest Kampala, now that we have the capacity to make buses here in Uganda, which can also be utilized at the airport."
Finance Minister Kasaija urged engineers at Kiira Motors to innovate more. He urged Ugandans to embrace home-grown technologies and support the commercialization of Ugandan innovations with KMC taking the lead.
WHAT EXPERTS SAY
Eng. Dr. Sagala Paul Neil Sekikubo, while delivering a paper titled, 'The 4th Industrial Revolution: Transport Sector Implications For Uganda', deplored the pathetic transport conditions in Kampala city where people drive single-occupancy vehicles to their workplace thus congesting and polluting the city with obsolete technology.
In a lively session chaired by Eng. Dr Isaac Mutenyo, Sagala urged the ministry of Works and Transport, KCCA and other sector players to apply the green mobility model that is being championed by Kiira Motors.
"Kiira Motors have the technology, they have demonstrated capabilities to deliver buses both electric and combustion engines. Government and the private sector can come in and buy these buses with green mobile technologies. Let all the stakeholders support this initiative to have home-grown solutions for our domestic challenges," he said.
The Kayoola EVS has a range of 300km on a single charge. The bus is also fitted with state-of-the-art infotainment as well as USB ports and onboard WiFi. Dr Elioda Tumwesigye said government is providing policy guidance and oversight.
"The ministry has embarked on a process of developing a comprehensive Automotive Industry Policy that will stimulate and promote automotive engineering, auto parts and components manufacturing and vehicle production in Uganda...," he emphasized.
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