Kiira Motors embarks on 13,000km trans-african trip to Cape Town with Kayoola electric coach

November 16, 2025 in Companies, Science and Technology, Trade & Industry, Transport by Editor

Uganda’s push to position itself as a regional innovation powerhouse enters a bold new phase this week as Kiira Motors Corporation (KMC) dispatches its flagship Kayoola Electric Coach on a 13,000-kilometre road expedition across six African countries. The month-long journey, which begins on November 20 and ends on December 20, will take the 13-metre e-coach through Tanzania, Zambia, Botswana, Eswatini and Cape Town, South Africa in a bid to activate new markets, secure sales, and elevate the visibility of Ugandan-made technologies.

The mission, unveiled during a dedication event at Protea Hotel Kololo on November 14, is designed as a rolling exhibition — one that will demonstrate the reliability of the Kayoola electric bus while creating commercial opportunities for a wide range of Ugandan products. A 42-member team will travel aboard the 62-seater coach, supported by a portable charging system and full-time connectivity from MTN, the expedition’s main sponsor.

According to officials, the “Made in Uganda to Southern Africa” expedition is intended to open the region to homegrown technologies, from electric mobility to biotech and digital solutions. KMC says the trip will introduce the Kayoola E-Coach to new buyers while building confidence in Uganda’s growing innovation ecosystem. Along the route, the team will engage private and public transport operators, business groups, policymakers and potential investors through town-hall meetings, policy forums and technical demonstrations.

A major commercial objective is to secure at least 1,000 orders for the Kayoola bus model and establish partnerships across distribution, investment and technology development. Market access efforts will also extend to Ugandan innovators and small enterprises, with the team promoting products ranging from solar routers and IoT security devices to shelf-life extenders, DC fast chargers, 3D printers and water pumps. Agro-processed foods including coffee, honey, herbal teas, fruits and tooke flour will also be showcased.

The journey is expected to serve as a platform for trade, dialogue and strategic partnerships between Ugandan enterprises and potential partners in Southern Africa. The Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, Uganda’s foreign missions, the Uganda Export Promotion Board, Uganda Airlines and multiple private stakeholders are backing the initiative, which aligns with national efforts to scale indigenous technologies.

Dr. Monica Musenero, Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation, urged the team to embody Uganda’s innovative spirit on the continental stage. “There is power in ideas and the wealth God has given us to inherit is in ideas,” she said. “Wherever you go, carry the pride of the Pearl of Africa and be the best.”

KMC chief executive Paul Isaac Musasizi described the mission as an “electric trans-African exhibition of technology and innovation,” showcasing not only the Kayoola E-Coach but the full range of products emerging from Uganda’s innovation ecosystem. “We are taking Made in Uganda to Africa,” he said.

With real-time storytelling through live tracking, interactive maps and performance data, the expedition aims to give audiences across the continent a chance to “ride along” and witness Africa-built electric mobility in action. If successful, the journey could mark a significant step toward expanding Uganda’s industrial footprint and securing a stronger presence in Southern Africa’s transport and technology markets.