Uganda launches cashless bus payment system
Nov 13, 2023
The immediate rollout of the KaCyber Go Card will be on Kiira Motors’ first 20 electric Kayoola buses slated to operate in Kampala and Jinja
Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja (left) and Science minister Dr Monica Museneo inspect electric bus during thes lunching of Kacyber go card at Kololo celebrations Grounds. (Photos by Francis Emorut)
Francis Emorut
Journalist @New Vision
_____________________________ Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja (centre), science minister Dr Monica Musenero (third right) and the staff of Kyacber Technologies displaying Kyacber go card during its lunch at Kololo celebrations Grounds Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja displays Kacyber card used for boarding Kiira bus where you don't need to pay money cash during the national sceince week at Kololo celebrations Grounds
Passengers using an electric bus manufactured by Kiira Motors should now not carry cash in their hands but use cashless a new payment technology system dubbed KaCyber Go Card.
According to Innocent Orikiiriza, the founder and chief executive officer of KaCyber Technologies, this is yet another giant leap towards digitisation and overall modernisation of Uganda’s transport sector and an advancement that will ease public transportation for commuters and operators alike.
He said for the operators, this digital payment solution promises to dramatically increase the efficiency of revenue tracking, minimising the income leakages that come with entrusting collections solely to conductors. It also eliminates human error and theft and will thus guarantee increased profitability.
He said the immediate rollout of the KaCyber Go Card will be on Kiira Motors’ first 20 electric Kayoola buses slated to operate in Kampala and Jinja. It is expected that usage will then eventually extend to commuter trains, government ferries, inter-city buses, and even taxis. 
He explained that the digitised ticketing and payment solution mounted on the eco-friendly Kayoola EVS electric buses are the first of their kind to be produced in Uganda and Africa, is an achievement for Uganda but a deliberate part of the government's initiative towards modernisation as outlined in Digitalization Transformation RoadMap and Transport Masterplan.
Orikiiriza said this smart, digital, and contactless payment technology solution changes the game for commuters and bus operators and updates and breathes new life into Uganda’s transport industry in a long overdue way.
He pointed out that for the commuter, the prepaid card allows for planning and tracking of transport expenses and eliminates the often-irritating scuffles between passengers and conductors when demanding transport balance.
Okirriza made remarks during the closure of the National Science Week 2023 at Kololo Independence Grounds on November 11.
He pointed out that KaCyber’s contactless card payment technology has been developed following a grant of sh433m from the Science, Technology, and Innovation Secretariat - Office of the President as part of the financial year 2022/23 National Research and Innovation Call geared at supporting innovation for fast-tracking value addition and industrialisation.
How it works
To pay the bus fare, one simply places their card within proximity of the machine and the amount for the journey is automatically deducted. The amount deducted as well as the balance on the card is displayed on the screen during every transaction so that the passenger knows exactly how much they have been charged. 
To pay the transport fare, one can load as much or as little money as they wish on their KaCyber Go card using mobile money or from their bank account.
The new technology was launched by Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja.
She lauded the initiative saying the technology can now replace cash payments in commuter buses with a simple tap and Go card, a smarter, and more convenient.
About KaCyber Go Card
The KaCyber Go Card, is Uganda’s first contactless transport card an initiative of KaCyber Technologies, a transportation technology company, in partnership with Kiira Motors with facilitation from the Government of Uganda.
Piloted and tested at the National Science Week on the Kiira Motors’ Kayoola EVS electric buses, the card works in tandem with a ticketing validation machine that is installed inside the bus at both entrances and exits.
Timothy Rwakahebu a technician said the card payment system is the way to go instead of carrying cash.
Enid Kawala a teacher said the new technological advancement of using pay cards solves the friction passengers encounter when demanding balance from the conductors.
Mary Nalwoge a businesswoman said the innovation is long overdue and called upon the transport sector to adopt it.
No Comment