Uganda – Mr. Thulani Mkhaliphi, Principal Secretary for the Ministry of Public Works and Transport in the Kingdom of Eswatini, led a high-level delegation to Uganda to explore opportunities for cooperation in electric mobility, science, technology, innovation and industrial development. The two-day visit included engagements with the Science, Technology and Innovation Secretariat in the Office of the President (STI-OP), Kiira Motors Corporation, the Made in Uganda initiative, Namanve Industrial Park and the Kampala Industrial Area.
At the STI Secretariat in Kampala, the delegation was received by Hon. Eng. Jonard Asiimwe, Minister in the Office of the President responsible for Science, Technology and Innovation. Discussions focused on leveraging science, technology and innovation to accelerate industrialisation, economic transformation and sustainable development. At Kiira Motors Corporation in Jinja, the delegation toured the Kiira Vehicle Plant to assess Uganda’s automotive manufacturing capabilities and explore opportunities for procurement of Ugandan-made buses, technology transfer, research and development, and regional distribution.
Kiira Motors engineers showcased the corporation’s production processes, engineering systems, quality assurance standards and vehicle testing facilities, while presenting its range of electric city buses and long-distance coaches. Officials highlighted the plant’s current production capacity of 2,500 vehicles annually, with plans to expand to 10,000 units. The delegation also learned about Kiira Motors’ vision of developing an integrated electric mobility ecosystem incorporating charging infrastructure, battery localisation, smart mobility technologies and after-sales support. Members experienced the buses’ modern passenger features, including climate control, Wi-Fi connectivity, USB charging, accessibility features for persons with disabilities and optional onboard restrooms.
The visit built on commitments made during His Majesty King Mswati III’s State Visit to Uganda in 2024 and the success of the Pearl-to-Cape Electric Expedition, which showcased the performance and reliability of Uganda’s electric buses across several African countries. At the Made in Uganda offices at UMA House, the delegation toured locally manufactured products and innovations, including electric motorcycles, Ebee electric bicycles, premium Ugandan coffee and tea, textiles, cosmetics and other value-added products. Head of the Made in Uganda initiative, Moses Byaruhanga, emphasised the importance of strengthening regional supply chains and investment in trade infrastructure to increase intra-African trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Mr. Opio Bob, representing the Uganda High Commission in Pretoria, reaffirmed Uganda’s commitment to promoting local products through the Economic and Commercial Diplomacy Strategy and encouraged stronger collaboration between manufacturers, innovators and diplomatic missions. The delegation also visited the Spiro motorcycle assembly facility and Ebee in Namanve and Kampala Industrial Area, where they gained first-hand insight into Uganda’s expanding clean mobility ecosystem. The engagements demonstrated the growing opportunities for Uganda and Eswatini to collaborate in innovation, sustainable transport, industrialisation and trade, while creating new avenues for African-made technologies to access regional and international markets.
