Africa’s engineering ingenuity and Uganda’s rising EV ambitions took centre stage yesterday as Kiira Motors Corporation (KMC) completed one of the continent’s most daring electric mobility expeditions.
The 13-metre Kayoola E-Coach arrived in Cape Town after a 7 125km journey across Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Botswana, Eswatini and South Africa, a feat widely hailed as proof that African-built electric vehicles are ready for large-scale deployment.
KMC described the expedition as a remarkable milestone for the 50-member crew that defied all odds to complete the historic journey, which required 23 charging stops over 20 days.
“This expedition is a statement about Africa’s commitment to sustainable mobility and innovation. Your overwhelming support, cheers, and encouragement are a continuous source of inspiration,” the company said in a statement.
Designed and engineered in Uganda, the Kayoola E-Coach showcases Africa’s rapidly developing technological capabilities.
The 62-seater coach features advanced battery management systems, regenerative braking, long-range charging capacity and intelligent monitoring tools, technical capabilities that KMC believes position it for continental-expansion adoption.
KMC said the goal of the trip was to demonstrate reliability, activate new markets and deepen investor confidence in its e-mobility capabilities. “We are taking ‘Made in Uganda’ to Africa, demonstrating engineering excellence and the readiness of African-built EVs to compete globally,” the company stated.
MTN Uganda, whose connectivity ensured seamless communication, navigation and real-time data transmission, called the cross-country expedition a defining moment for the continent’s innovation ecosystem.
“From Uganda to Tanzania, Zambia, Botswana, Eswatini and now South Africa, MTN’s network ensured the expedition stayed connected every step of the way,” said the telco in its statement.
The expedition’s successful completion reinforces Kiira Motors’ growing reach across Africa and strengthens Uganda’s position in the race to build a homegrown EV industry capable of powering mobility, manufacturing and green industrialisation on African terms.
“This arrival is more than a destination. It is proof that Africa’s innovation ecosystem is ready to scale, collaborate, and lead the future of sustainable mobility,” added MTN Uganda.
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