President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has directed government ministries to accelerate support for Uganda's electric vehicle industry following the successful completion of the Presidential Pearl to Cape Expedition 2025, saying the country's industrial transformation cannot be delayed.
The President issued the directive during the Presidential Pearl to Cape Expedition 2025 Homecoming Luncheon held to celebrate the successful journey of the Kayoola E-Coach, which travelled from Uganda to South Africa and back.
President Museveni hailed the achievement as a milestone for Uganda's manufacturing sector and evidence that Africa has the capacity to design, manufacture and export its own technology.
"I congratulate the Kiira Motors team on this historic achievement, which demonstrates that Africa can design, manufacture and export its own technology," President Museveni said.
The President said Africa once had a thriving economy driven by artisans and indigenous knowledge before colonialism disrupted local production systems.
"Before colonialism, our people had an integrated economy built on artisans and indigenous knowledge. Our task now is to restore that foundation through modern industrialization," he said.
To accelerate the country's industrial agenda, President Museveni directed the relevant ministries to move quickly to unlock investment and strengthen local manufacturing.
"I have directed the relevant Ministries to move with speed, secure financing, guarantee off-take for locally manufactured buses, and support battery production. We must stop working slowly. Uganda's industrial transformation cannot wait," President Museveni said.
The President's directive is expected to boost the growth of Uganda's electric mobility industry by increasing investment in local vehicle manufacturing, expanding market opportunities for locally produced buses and strengthening domestic battery production.
The successful Pearl to Cape Expedition has also positioned Uganda as an emerging player in Africa's electric mobility sector, showcasing the country's engineering and manufacturing capabilities beyond its borders.
