Uganda’s capital, Kampala, could see electric taxis on its roads before the end of 2026, following a move by the Union Transport Alliance (UTA) to begin transitioning the city’s taxi fleet to electric vehicles.
UTA, an umbrella body bringing together taxi, bus and truck drivers and boda boda riders, announced the plan after a recent benchmarking visit to China, where a delegation assessed electric taxi technology and the infrastructure supporting it.
Speaking on behalf of the union, Amon Mulyowa said the first electric taxis could begin operating in Uganda before the end of the year, although the total rollout will depend on establishing battery-swapping stations and other supporting infrastructure.
“We are looking at by the end of the year, because before the taxis come in, we need to have the energy network in place, because we need to have the swapping stations,” he said.
Taxi Union chairman Rashid Sekindi said the delegation’s visit was intended to assess whether the technology used in China could be adapted to Uganda’s operating environment.
“Our visit to China was to learn more about taxi technology and assess whether electric taxis can work in Uganda,” Sekindi said.
He said the delegation concluded that electric taxis could work in Uganda, but cautioned against simply replicating the Chinese model.
“From what we observed, they can work, but the system needs some modifications to fit our local environment,” he said.
Gradual payment
Mulyowa said the proposed scheme could allow taxi drivers, owners and other investors to acquire electric vehicles through a gradual payment arrangement instead of paying the full purchase price upfront.
“They will be able to get an electric taxi after paying some small money, and then the taxi’s on the road, they pay back the balance in small portions,” he said.
The arrangement, if implemented, could lower the initial financial barrier for taxi operators and allow them to begin earning from the vehicles while paying off the remaining cost.
However, the transition will require more than importing electric vehicles. Mulyowa said a network of battery-swapping stations would be critical to ensuring that the taxis can operate reliably, particularly because drivers would need a quick way to replace depleted batteries rather than wait for them to recharge.
Cutting fuel costs
Frank Mawejje, chairman of the Boda Union, encouraged other transport sector leaders to support the transition, arguing that wider adoption of electric vehicles could reduce fuel expenditure while helping address environmental concerns.
“By embracing electric vehicles together, we can reduce fuel costs, protect our environment, and build a stronger transport industry for Uganda,” Mawejje said.
The proposed transition would mark a significant shift for Kampala’s public transport sector, but its success will depend on the availability of charging or battery-swapping infrastructure, financing arrangements and the ability to adapt electric taxi technology to Uganda’s operating conditions.
That’s a pipe dream, total rubbish. Where from?
KCCA should instead decongest the city by getting the taxis out and get reliable and efficient bus network because in the current environment buses cannot run efficiently on roads clogged by taxis and private vehicles. Then you have the boda bodas that’s a story for another day!
Sounds good as developed countries are working expressly to finance electric cars/taxis, buses, trains…!
But of course, Ugandans MUST say NO to the tribalistic system & UNITE to stop Rwandese Museveni FIRST, then form the kind of governance they want, if they want to be part of now forming tomorrow world!
This means Ugandans MUST STOP pretending 40 years of Rwandese Museveni was hope, chance they longed for & they want him on for 45 years+++++!
Even Rwandese Museveni will die of old age, right?
Then WHAT for Ugandans, just go along with his son in the waiting to replace the dad?
Why have Ugandans locked themselves up with the Rwandese family & just punish, harrass, arrest/imprison one another for him?
Worse, Ugandans go for fake elections that only protect Museveni’s lifetime rule & ensure Uganda is his family business as only his son will replace him!
Why are Uganans so so afraid to live without the Rwandese family?
Where is that just ONE National/Common Leader so so needed to call for an end to the tribalisticf system then sing Ugandans to UNITY?
Ah! Kyagulanyi who grew up, educated under Rwandese Museveni is waiting for next fake presidential election to ensure he stays on while pretending 45 years under the demon is DEMOCRACY he was educated to in & just hang on to!