Lesotho is set to purchase 20 buses from Uganda’s locally owned vehicle manufacturer, Kiira Motors Corporation, while President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has pledged to donate an additional five to the southern African kingdom.
The agreement was discussed on Wednesday during a meeting between President Museveni and Lesotho’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Relations, Limpho Justice Tau, at State House, Entebbe.
Tau visited Uganda as a special envoy carrying a message from Lesotho Prime Minister Ntsokoane Samuel Matekane, who expressed his government’s interest in purchasing the buses to address the country’s transportation needs.
President Museveni welcomed the proposal and directed the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs (Regional Affairs), Haruna Kyeyune Kasolo, to work with Kiira Motors Corporation to facilitate the transaction.
In his message, Prime Minister Matekane also requested President Museveni to support Lesotho with five additional buses.
President Museveni accepted the request and pledged to donate the vehicles, bringing the total number of buses expected to be supplied to Lesotho to 25.
The arrangement comprises 20 buses to be purchased by the Lesotho government and five to be donated by President Museveni.
The proposed deal offers Kiira Motors Corporation an opportunity to expand its presence in the African market as Uganda seeks to develop its domestic automotive manufacturing industry.
Kiira Motors, a government-owned vehicle manufacturer, produces buses and other vehicles as part of Uganda’s efforts to establish local capacity in automotive manufacturing.
The proposed supply to Lesotho also points to growing opportunities for African countries to explore trade and industrial partnerships through locally manufactured products rather than relying entirely on imports from outside the continent.
