SCIENCE AND INNOVATION WILL TRANSFORM AFRICA-MUSEVENI

 By Moses Sserwanga

Kiira Motors Ltd-Uganda’s flagship for the automotive industry which is exhibiting its Kiira EVS hybrid vehicle also known as the “Beast” at the on going Africa Now conference  , has registered regional and continental acclaim for its innovations and championing green mobility technologies in Africa.

Several local and international dignitaries are flocking the new Kiira EVS vehicle with Kiira Motors taking center stage at the continental event where ground breaking innovations that will take Africa to the next level are currently on display .

The two day event  held at Mununyo Commonwealth Resort and Conference Center is co-hosted by Uganda ‘s President  Yoweri Museveni who delivered a key note address on Tuesday , March 12, 2019.

 President Museveni highlighted the importance of innovation , science and research as key driving tools for the transformation of the African continent . “Apart from education and liberalization that frees the private sector to be active and innovative , you need other enablers like good infrastructure , value addition and democracy ,” he stated . 

“ Therefore, for Africa to undergo social-economic transformation , science and technology must lead the way . The scientists should be well paid ahead of everybody else because we badly need them to copy or innovate the crucial scientific discoveries ,” he emphasized .

The high profile conference which is held every two years has attracted hundreds of local and international dignitaries who include heads of state ,private sector, civil society and public policy experts. Among those in attendance is the Somalia President, Mohamid Abdulali Mohamed , Kenya’s Deputy President William Ruto, Tazania Vice President Samia Hossan Suluhu and Egyptian Trade Minister Amr Nassar who represented President Abdi-Fital Sissi.

 

According to Africa Leadership Strategic Center Board of Directors Chairman, Dr .Robert Mwesigwa Rukaari, the conference ‘s theme is “towards a secure, integrated and growing Africa”.

The Kiira EVS is a 4-Seater Executive Vehicle built off the Kiira EV SMACK Platform fitted with a 2.0 Litre Petrol Engine, 5 Speed Automatic Transmission, and an exquisite Beige Interior Trim.

The Democratic Party President , Nobert Mao, Uganda’s Minister of Energy and Minerals, Eng. Irene Nafuna  Muloni , Uganda National Roads Authority, (UNRA), Allen Kagina were among many dignitaries who inspected the Kiira EVS and commended the work being undertaken by Kiira Motors to produce cars in Uganda. 

This is after , the Nabagereka of Buganda , Lady Sylvia Naginda , On Sunday 10,2019, also thanked the Kiira Motors team for its innovations in marketing Uganda’s budding automotive industry .  She was the chief guest at the Women in Rotary  annual dinner which was held at Serena hotel in Kampala.  

 

Mr. Allan Muhumuza, the Kiira Motors’ Business Development Manager ,  said the company  was happy to participate and  the exhibit the Kiira EVS at this  an African event to prove Uganda’s  capabilities in making executive sedans locally and cultivate orders for the niche market segment.

“We have continued to push the frontiers of what was thought as far-fetched in Uganda’s upstream participation in the automotive value chain. The Kiira EVS is one fine piece of Ugandan engineering and design,” he stated.

He said that by showcasing the Kiira EVS, the company will demonstrate to the people of Africa the vast opportunities available in the automotive industry for local content development. “When the automotive industry takes off with Kiira Motors at the helm, Ugandans should be in position to benefit directly through prospects for manufacturing and supplying vehicle parts for the Kiira Vehicle Plant in Jinja,” Muhumuza added.                                                            

Kiira Motors Corporation is a State Enterprise established to make vehicles in Uganda. “One of our strategic objectives is to set up and operate vehicle plants and service centers for the assembly and selling of vehicles and provision of vehicle support products and services that exceed customer expectation,” Mr. Paul Isaac Musasizi the KMC, Chief Executive Officer said.  

Kiira Motors Corporation has also produced the Kayoola Solar Bus and the Kiira EV, winning regional and international recognition as a pioneer in developing vehicle clean energy technologies in Africa.

Kiira Motors Corporation is a State Enterprise, established to undertake the commercialisation of the Kiira Electric Vehicle Project, championing value addition in the domestic automotive industry for job and wealth creation. The Ministry of Science Technology and  Innovation  is  mandated  to  provide Policy guidance  and  oversight  to  Kiira  Motors Corporation.

ENDS