Aviation authority upgrades fleet with electric coaches from Kiira Motors

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In a significant step towards improving mobility and reducing carbon emissions, Kiira Motors has handed over two premium electric coaches to the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA).

The coaches, with registration numbers UA 502BK and UA 287BJ, were handed over to science, technology and innovation minister Dr Monica Musenero, by Kiira Motors Corporation chief executive officer Paul Isaac Musasizi.

He later handed them over to UCAA staff, led by their Procurement Manager, Helen Hannah Tumuhimbise, during the National E-Mobility Expo 2025 organised at the Kiira Motors plant in Mutai Village, Jinja district, under the theme “Powering Innovation, Accelerating Industrialisation, Africa’s Green Future and Shaping.”

The Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Monica Musenero (2nd right) remarking after handing over documents and keys of one of the Premium electric coaches registration number UA 287BJ to staff of UCAA who included UCAA's Procurement Manager Helen Hannah Tumuhimbise (left), UCAA's Principal Transport and Maintainance Officer Nicholas Tayebwa (2nd left) and UCAA's Public Affairs Principal Officer Kenneth Otim (3rd left). (Photo by Donald Kiirya)

Musenero highlighted the maturity of Kiira Motors' technology, emphasising that the coaches have been tested and optimised to meet client needs. He noted that the UCAA has been a key partner in this journey, supporting Kiira Motors in testing the technology and providing valuable feedback.

“The first electric coach was handed over to UCAA during the Science, Technology and Innovation week on July 20, 2025, at Kololo grounds and they have used it since then and here they are to pick more two coaches for operation to ease mobility of their employees from Kampala to Entebbe and back to Kampala.

“The electric coaches are designed for maximum comfort, featuring air suspensions for enhanced comfort, reclining seats for long journeys, infotainment systems for passenger entertainment, air conditioning for a comfortable ride and charging points for phones and other devices,” Musenero said.

The minister emphasised that the coaches are not only environmentally friendly but also affordable, with costs comparable to traditional coaches.

Helen Hannah Tumuhimbise, UCAA's procurement manager, highlighted the importance of sustainable procurement and reducing carbon emissions.

She noted that the introduction of electric coaches is part of the Authority's efforts to modernise its fleet and meet governing standards of the aviation industry.

“Most of our fleet was due for disposal, and in this, we are disposing of three buses. We must replace with advanced technology, but more so with the technology that is required by the governing body of our industry,” Tumuhimbise said.

UCAA’s principal transport and maintenance officer, Eng Nicholas Tayebwa, said the Authority was pleased to receive vehicles whose origin shows Uganda.

The Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Monica Musenero (2nd right) and other guests prepare to enter one of the premium electric coaches for a test drive which was handed over to UCAA at Kiira Motors Corporation plant at Mutai village in Jinja district on Friday. (Photo by Donald Kiirya)

“With all the airlines and their handlers, we have to encourage them to go electric so that we can reduce carbon from the air in the environment to 25%,” Tayebwa said.

He said the introduction of electric buses is expected to reduce carbon emissions and operating costs for the CAA, while also promoting sustainable transportation in Uganda.

He added that they have so far procured eight electric buses to replace the diesel ones they use. Out of the eight, they have so far received three from Kiira Motors. He said they have also placed an order for three more buses, and after delivery, they will add the two to make a total of eight buses.

The handover ceremony marked a significant milestone in Kiira Motors' journey, demonstrating the company’s ability to produce high-quality electric buses that meet client needs. The event also showcased the potential for electric mobility in Uganda and the importance of partnerships in driving innovation.