Uganda has taken another significant step in its transition to clean public transport with the launch of 15 locally manufactured Kayoola electric buses in Kira Municipality and surrounding areas.
Operated by E-Bus Xpress, the new fleet will serve key commuter routes across the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area, connecting the Ntinda transit hub to rapidly growing residential and commercial neighborhoods, including Najjera, Naalya, Namugongo, Kyaliwajjala, Sonde, Kisasi, and Kyanja.
Manufactured by the state-owned Kiira Motors Corporation (KMC), the Kayoola EVS buses are designed to reduce urban carbon emissions while offering commuters a modern and reliable travel experience. Each bus is equipped with air conditioning, high-speed Wi-Fi, USB charging ports at every seat, intelligent route tracking systems, and onboard CCTV cameras to enhance passenger comfort and security.
To simplify travel and eliminate the need for cash payments, E-Bus Xpress has introduced a fully digital ticketing system. Passengers can pay using contactless smart cards or mobile money through a tap-and-go platform.
The buses will operate on three main feeder routes radiating from the Ntinda transit hub. One route runs from Ntinda through Najjera and Kira to Kungu, another connects Ntinda with Naalya, Kyaliwajjala, Namugongo, and Sonde, while the third serves commuters travelling between Ntinda, Kisasi, and Kyanja.
To encourage residents to embrace the new service, E-Bus Xpress is offering free rides on all three routes until September 6, 2026. After the promotional period, fares will be set at UGX 800 for adults and UGX 400 for students.
Speaking during the launch at the Kira Municipal Playground, government officials described the rollout as a major milestone in Uganda’s drive toward sustainable urban mobility and local industrialization.
Minister for Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs, Hon. Minsa Kabanda, said the introduction of scheduled electric feeder buses would help ease pressure on the city’s informal public transport system while contributing to cleaner air and more efficient urban mobility.
Meanwhile, State Minister for Works and Transport, Hon. Eng. Jonard Asiimwe, highlighted the broader economic benefits of the initiative, noting that locally manufacturing electric buses reduces dependence on imported fossil fuels while creating skilled jobs in engineering, vehicle assembly, and maintenance.
The deployment of the Kayoola fleet reinforces Uganda’s ambition to build a cleaner, more efficient public transport network powered by locally developed technology, positioning the country as one of Africa’s emerging leaders in electric mobility.
TNAM
