Presidential Address on Issues of National Importance

Museveni says Electric Cars, Bodas & Train – Solution to Fuel Crisis

softpower.ug, Kampala, July 28, 2022 | President Museveni has said his government will invest in the production of electric vehicles, boda bodas and a train that use less fuel or are fully electric.

File Photo/Courtesy: Made in Uganda – Kayoola Bus EV

The president was Wednesday speaking about high fuel prices while addressing the nation at State Lodge Nakasero.

Saying he came to talk about the high cost of living because of the so many things happening in the world, the president noted that the NRM secretariat would do more work in explaining what’s happening in the world and how it affects the common people in Uganda.

“Some people have been saying remove taxes on fuel. Others said, subsidize. We have told you that that’s not good. For us, we have been advising you that if there is money, please let’s put it where it’s safe,” he said.

Museveni said the safe places include electric vehicles and boda bodas.

“Fortunately, we had started making these electric buses. The second solution is the train which will use either electricity or diesel. But we can use electricity so that we use much less fuel,” he noted.

“We started funding these people (electric engineers) long ago; about 10 years ago. The solution now is in these electric cars. I know it can not be done overnight but we shall reach there. For now, we should be frugal with the little resources we have….”

He said the country already started with Kayoola EVS buses.

According to Paul Isaac Musasizi, the Chief Executive Officer at Kiira Motors, Kayoola EVS creates immense enterprise value for the bus operator with its energy consumption of only 360 Uganda Shillings per kilometer compared to the diesel equivalent that would consume over 5 times as much in fuel in a business-as-usual scenario.

The Ugandan-made bus is fully electric and low floor specifically designed for urban mass transportation.

It has a capacity of 90 passengers and is capable of a range of 300km on a single charge requiring 1.5 hours to fully charge.