On October 7, 2024, Uganda will celebrate a milestone with the commissioning of the Kiira Vehicle Plant (KVP) in Jinja, the largest vehicle manufacturing facility in East Africa.
Officiated by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, this event marks a major achievement for the country’s industrial and automotive sectors, positioning Uganda at the forefront of sustainable vehicle production in Africa.
KIIRA VEHICLE PLANT: A PILLAR OF INDUSTRIALIZATION AND INNOVATION
The Kiira Vehicle Plant is a national project under Kiira Motors Corporation (KMC), which has been instrumental in Uganda’s push toward sustainable industrialization.
With its focus on eco-friendly vehicles, the plant serves as a key player in Uganda’s Vision 2040, a strategic plan aimed at transforming Uganda into a modern, industrialized nation. The plant’s commissioning represents a significant step forward in job creation, innovation, and green technology adoption.
The facility’s impressive production capacity—starting at 2,500 vehicles per year and scalable to 5,000—aligns with Uganda’s ambitions to establish itself as a regional leader in vehicle manufacturing.
This growth will provide high-quality, environmentally friendly vehicles, responding to the global demand for sustainable transportation solutions.
Since its establishment, Kiira Motors has produced 39 Kayoola buses, the majority being electric. These vehicles have collectively covered over 600,000 kilometers, underscoring Uganda’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainable urban transport. In addition, 145 electric bus operators have been trained, further advancing Uganda’s electric mobility sector.
CUTTING-EDGE FACILITIES AND LONG-TERM IMPACT
The Kiira Vehicle Plant spans 100 acres and includes state-of-the-art production facilities such as a body shop, paint shop, chassis line, trim line, rain test facility, and a testing track.
With 163 production stations, the plant is currently employing over 200 people, with plans to expand the workforce to 900 as production scales up. Beyond direct employment, the project is expected to create over 14,000 direct and indirect jobs across Uganda’s automotive value chain.
This ambitious project is not just a boost for Uganda’s automotive sector but a catalyst for economic growth and industrial development. It enhances local skills development, attracts investments, and drives innovation, with a strong focus on sustainability.
The plant’s eco-friendly production aligns with global efforts to combat climate change, and Uganda has already installed 14 DC fast chargers to support the nation’s transition to sustainable transportation.
A JOURNEY OF MILESTONES: FROM VISION TO REALITY
The Kiira Vehicle Plant’s journey began in 2009 with a vehicle design project at Makerere University. Over the years, it has evolved into a national flagship for automotive innovation.
Highlights include:
2011: The launch of Uganda’s first electric vehicle, the Kiira EV, officiated by President Museveni.
2018: Kiira Motors Corporation was established as a state enterprise under the Science, Technology, and Innovation Program.
2021: President Museveni laid the foundation stone for the Kiira Vehicle Plant, signaling the start of construction 2024: Kiira Motors made its first market expansion efforts into Tanzania and the East African Community, positioning itself as a regional leader.
A CATALYST FOR UGANDA’S FUTURE
The Kiira Vehicle Plant embodies Uganda’s drive toward a sustainable, industrialized future. As a key pillar of Vision 2040, the plant’s focus on green technology and job creation is set to transform the country’s economic landscape.
The facility’s dedication to producing eco-friendly vehicles will not only meet local demand but also position Uganda as a pioneer in Africa’s automotive industry.
With its commissioning, Uganda is poised to lead Africa’s automotive revolution, with the Government reaffirming its commitment to supporting this landmark initiative and ensuring that the nation continues to innovate in the years to come.
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