Kiira Motors Corporation -Uganda’s automotive company has stated that it is planning to produce and deploy 1030 in Kampala and other major cities as a measure to modernize public transport in the country.
According to the statement released on 15th February 2021, working with strategic partners, Kiira Motors is planning to produce 30,000 buses for the regional market with 65% parts and components localized by 2030 with an aim to modernize public transport in urban centers in Uganda and beyond.
“Kiira Motors and partners plan to produce and deploy 1030 buses by the end of 2021, 50 of which will be electric” the statement released on 14th February, 2021 reads in part.
Established in 2007 to Champion Value Addition in the Domestic Automotive Industry, Kiira says Kampala and other cities in the region have for decades faced challenges of road and traffic congestion, pollution, unemployment and underemployment into low fuel economy, poor air quality, low labour productivity and compromised road safety.
According to Kiira Motors, the initiative builds on successful development of the Kayoola electric and Diesel buses built through technology transfer and utilizing the facilities and resources at the UPDF National Enterprise Corporation in Luwero Industries in Nakasongola.
“Coupled with localization of capabilities to develop, make and sale vehicles and components, this provides an unprecedented opportunity for transforming the economy drawing on the demographic dividend of Uganda” the statement adds.
Government in April 2018 Approved the Roadmap for the Kiira Vehicle Plant and allocated 100 Acres of land at the Jinja Industrial and Business Park for the Kiira Vehicle Plant.
The above development according to Kiira are projected to create over 30,000 jobs directly, 100,000 jobs indirectly and catalyze investments by Micro Small and Medium Enterprise in in the manufacture of motor vehicle parts.
