ENTEBBE — President Yoweri Museveni on Wednesday hosted a luncheon at State House, Entebbe, to honour the team behind the Presidential Pearl to Cape Expedition 2025, describing the successful trans-African journey of Uganda’s locally manufactured electric bus as a milestone in the country’s industrialisation and innovation agenda.
The event celebrated the completion of the Kayoola EVS electric coach’s more than 13,700-kilometre journey from Uganda to South Africa and back, a feat that showcased the country’s growing capabilities in science, technology, electric mobility and automotive manufacturing.
Addressing guests, President Museveni congratulated Kiira Motors Corporation, led by Chief Executive Officer Paul Isaac Musasizi, alongside the engineers, scientists and partners who made the expedition possible.
He said the achievement demonstrated Uganda’s ability to design, manufacture and operate world-class electric vehicles, describing it as part of Africa’s broader industrial renaissance.
The President said the expedition reflected the National Resistance Movement’s long-standing vision of building an integrated, self-sustaining economy founded on local production, value addition and modern technology.
He observed that before colonialism, African societies had vibrant artisan industries supporting agriculture, defence and household production, but many were later displaced by imported goods. According to the President, Kiira Motors represents a revival of that tradition through modern industrialisation, enabling Uganda to manufacture vehicles for domestic and regional markets.
President Museveni commended the resilience of the scientists and innovators behind the project and reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to supporting home-grown industries that create jobs, promote value addition and strengthen Uganda’s industrial base.
To accelerate Uganda’s electric mobility programme, he directed the relevant ministries and 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 public-private partnerships.
He also welcomed proposals to work with private investors to mobilise financing for battery production and expansion of the Kiira Vehicle Plant, saying Uganda must move quickly to remain competitive in science, technology and manufacturing.
The Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation, Eng. Jonard Asiimwe, thanked President Museveni for his continued support for science, technology and innovation, saying his leadership had created an enabling environment for home-grown innovations to flourish.
The Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, Dr Monica Musenero Masanza, described the Kampala-Cape Town electric bus expedition as a landmark achievement for Uganda’s industrialisation programme.
She said the journey demonstrated the country’s growing engineering and manufacturing capabilities by proving the reliability of a vehicle designed and built by Ugandans.
Dr Musenero noted that Kiira Motors’ impact extends beyond vehicle production, saying it has influenced engineering curriculum reforms, strengthened local supply chains and created opportunities for indigenous industries.
She added that innovation-driven industries should be assessed not only by their immediate financial returns but also by their contribution to skills development, job creation, technology transfer and long-term economic transformation.
The minister further said the successful expedition highlighted Uganda’s growing capacity to manufacture world-class vehicles and applauded the collaboration between Government, academia and the private sector, particularly recognising Makerere University for nurturing the research and innovation that gave rise to Kiira Motors.
Kiira Motors Corporation Chief Executive Officer Paul Isaac Musasizi described the Pearl to Cape Expedition as a significant milestone in demonstrating the reliability, efficiency and commercial viability of Uganda’s locally manufactured electric buses.
He said the journey proved that electric buses can reduce transport costs while showcasing Ugandan engineering excellence across the African continent.
Mr Musasizi thanked President Museveni for his continued support for science, technology and innovation, noting that government investment had enabled the establishment of the Kiira Vehicle Plant, which he described as the largest bus manufacturing facility of its kind in Africa.
He revealed that demand for Kiira buses is growing across the region and appealed for continued government support through long-term procurement commitments, expansion of electric public transport services and investment in local battery manufacturing to accelerate industrialisation and job creation.
Representing the private sector, MTN Uganda Chief Executive Officer Sylvia Mulinge reaffirmed the company’s commitment to supporting Uganda’s digital transformation and innovation agenda.
She said MTN provided uninterrupted internet connectivity, real-time vehicle tracking across several African countries and cashless payment solutions through MTN Mobile Money during the expedition.
Ms Mulinge said the successful journey demonstrated that Ugandan innovation can provide solutions for the continent and announced plans to continue working with Kiira Motors to develop connected vehicles equipped with smart fleet management technologies.
She added that MTN would continue investing in digital infrastructure to support industrialisation, agriculture, public service delivery and Uganda’s broader economic transformation.
The luncheon brought together government officials, scientists, engineers, private sector leaders, development partners and representatives from Kiira Motors Corporation, MTN Uganda, Britam Insurance and other organisations that contributed to the success of the expedition.
The completion of the Pearl to Cape Expedition marks another milestone in Uganda’s efforts to position itself as a regional leader in innovation, electric mobility and advanced manufacturing.