Ugandan electric bus Kayoola starts historic 13,000km trans-African expedition
The month-long expedition will take the all-electric coach through Tanzania, Zambia, Botswana, Eswatini, and finally Cape Town, South Africa, positioning Uganda at the forefront of Africa’s clean-energy transformation.
Gen. Katumba Wamala, Minister of Works and Transport (right), together with the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Monica Musenero (left), flagged off the grand African electric expedition at Mandela National Stadium, Namboole, Thursday morning, November 20, 2025. The 30-day, thirteen-thousand-kilometre journey on a Kayoola bus from the Pearl of Africa to Cape Town will go through six African countries (Uganda, Tanzania, Botswana, Eswatini, Zambia and South Africa. (Credit: Mpalanyi Ssentongo)
________________
The Kayoola Electric Coach 13-Metre Model 2025 has set off on a historic 13,000-kilometre Trans-African expedition from Uganda to South Africa.
The journey, which started today, November 20, 2025, is intended to showcase Uganda’s advancements in electric mobility, sustainable transport, and homegrown automotive engineering.
While flagging off the bus, works and transport minister Gen. Katumba Wamala said: As we flag off this historic expedition, we are sending a message to the world: Uganda believes in its people, its technology, and Africa’s capacity to shape a sustainable future.
(Credit: Mpalanyi Ssentongo)
(Credit: Mpalanyi Ssentongo)
(Credit: Mpalanyi Ssentongo)
The month-long expedition will take the all-electric coach through Tanzania, Zambia, Botswana, Eswatini, and finally Cape Town, South Africa, positioning Uganda at the forefront of Africa’s clean-energy transformation.
Gen. Katumba Wamala with Musenero during the inspection of the Kayola bus. (Credit: Mpalanyi Ssentongo)
Gen. Katumba Wamala inspecting the Kiira Motors-Kayoola bus. (Credit: Mpalanyi Ssentongo)
Engineers, innovators and mobility specialists will be travelling on board as they demonstrate the reliability, efficiency, and performance of the Kayoola E-Coach across diverse terrains and long distances.
General Katumba Wamala making his remarks. (Mpalanyi Ssentongo)
Dr Monica Musenero. (Credit: Mpalanyi Ssentongo)
About the bus
Kayoola E-Coach. (Credit: Mpalanyi Ssentongo)
Manufactured by Kiira Motors Corporation, the Kayoola E-Coach 13M Model 2025 is a premium inter-city, high-floor electric bus aimed at addressing the need for novel and innovative transportation, with an impressive driving range of 500 km on a single charge.
Late last year, the corporation's head, Paul Isaac Musasizi, informed President Yoweri Museveni that the buses had undergone successful testing in the market and received positive feedback from clients regarding their efficiency.
He highlighted that the buses had collectively travelled over 600,000km on routes in Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, and Tanzania without any issues, showcasing the corporation's dedication to providing high-quality products for the market.
President Museveni reiterated his steadfast support for Kiira Motors Corporation.
At full charge, the Kayoola EVS™ has a range of up to 300 kilometres.
With a seating capacity of up to 90 passengers, the Kayoola EVS™ is fitted with state-of-the-art safety and assistive technology for people with special needs, including special seats and a ramp for easy boarding and off-boarding of people in wheelchairs.
The electric buses, when fully charged, can cover up to 500km.
Some of travellers before boarding the bus. (Credit: Mpalanyi Ssentongo)
(Credit: Mpalanyi Ssentongo)