KCCA AND CENTRAL GOVERNMENT SHOULD USE THE COVID-19 WINDOW TO FIX PUBLIC SERVICE INFRASTRUCTURE AND SYSTEMS

BY MOSES SSERWANGA

The outbreak of the global COVID- 19 pandemic  should present a unique window  for the Uganda government to fix many broken down public service systems while  promoting local manufacturing - starting with the Capital Kampala.  This is the time for both Kampala City  Council Authority (KCCA) working together with the Central government to restore order to what has become a chaotic public transport network in the Central Business District (CBD) and the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area (GKMA). 

KCCA , for starters ,  should repair all its pubic taxi and bus parks  starting with the old taxi park(which according to social media images looks like a cattle holding ground )-  to ensure that all the much needed public health amenities like clean running water, passenger shades and public convenience areas are functional and up to acceptable standards .

The renovations and any other public works should be undertaken while using locally sourced materials to promote the Buy Uganda Build Uganda (BUBU) policy.  Revamping public health facilities in the taxi and bus parks and elsewhere in the city , is particularly  important because virology scientists have stated that even if the threat of  the spread of  Covid- 19 infection curve is flattened ( contained)  specially in congested public places- such as taxi and bus parks, it could take up to two years to wipe out the virus .

So even when the curfew is lifted , there will still be a possibility of a second or third wave of the pandemic .  It is incumbent upon the authorities at KCCA to bite the bullet and restore sanity in its public holding areas perhaps the more reason President Yoweri Museveni listed the authority as a public ‘essential’ service provider and thus exempted from the lock down . 

Fast going forward, the KCCA management and the central government  should temporarily forget about  the Kampala voting bloc and take some decisive actions to streamline the flow of traffic  and  not allow  back the crazy boda bodas  in the  CBD together with the taxis -which in any case -should  stop four miles either side of the city .  Fuel efficient  buses should be introduced including electric ones to ferry passengers from the points where they are dropped off by the taxis and bodas and transport them to the city center to reduce on the congestion .

By operating a robust public transport system in Kampala , KCCA will help to greatly reduce on the massive pollution of the environment caused by second hand vehicles some older than the people who own them –with end of life technologies that affect the good health and general wellbeing of Kampala’s  estimated 4 million people.

The government owned Kiira Motors Corporation (KMC) has produced two validation executive 12 meter Kayoola electric buses at the UPDF’s Luwero Industries in Nakasongola and have since been deployed to provide shuttle services for dignitaries that attended the European Union Business Summit in Kampala recently.  The Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon. Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga just last month was also driven in the same Kayoola electric bus from the Jinja suspended bridge to Kiira Motors Vehicles plant in Mutai some 20 kilometers along the Jinja –Kamuli highway.

This clearly demonstrates that Uganda now has the capacity to produce and deploy on its roads electric and fuel efficient combustion engine buses   . The Minister of Science Technology and Innovation Dr. Elioda Tumwesigye and the  KMC management led by Prof. Sandy Stevens Tickodri-Togboa have stated that Kiira Motors now has the capacity to produce  locally- up to eight electric buses in a month. Government should commit to roll out some of these buses to sort out the mess that Kampala has come to be known for. 

Motor vehicles importation is ranked the second highest valued call on Uganda’s foreign exchange bill at 450Million US dollars, the first being petroleum products. Government’s  import substitution should be focused to the development of  interalia-Uganda’s automotive industry.

These interventions will stave off the country’s foreign exchange hemorrhage through importation of used vehicles and create many job opportunities across the automotive industry value chain.

The introduction of buses also require KCCA to put in place the necessary infrastructure  including specially designed lanes for buses in the short term as it prepares  to implement  the  wider Kampala Metropolitan Rapid Public Transport System. 

The writer is Media and Communications Consultant and Advocate of the High Court of Uganda

msserwanga@gmail.com

SAVE MURCHISON FALLS UGANDA’S TREASURED TOURISM SITE ALONG THE RIVER NILE

BY MOSES SSERWANGA

Several media outlets have reported that some unpatriotic government bureaucrats have mooted yet another harebrained  idea to destroy  one of Uganda’s leading tourism site- the Murchison Falls by allowing a private investor to develop a hydro-power dam.

This is not the first of their machinations to tamper with what is left of the country’s tourism and environment protected areas . It is not a while ago, that government had to rescind another ridiculous idea to give away Mabira tropical forest to a private sugar cane grower after the citizens rose up in arms in a rare show of solidarity to save  one of Africa’s largest natural forests.

For starters , the 4,000 sq .kilometers Murchison Falls which has since been turned into a protected national park  is one of Uganda’s ancient conservation sites and it  stretches from the Albertine rift valley up to the plains of the Acholi land . It is home to an estimated 76 and 451 mammal and bird species .

The 143ft Murchison water falls  is not only a tourists marvel to behold , it is sanctuary to a wide diversity of flora and fauna which is clear testament for its unreserved protection by all the peoples of the world. This is the reason why government and the few officials who are flirting with the illegal idea to alienate the  Murchison Falls should in earnest be reminded about Uganda’s local and international legal obligations.

Under the constitution of Uganda, natural resources such as forest , water falls, national parks, minerals among others are held and managed by the elected government (this time the NRM led by President Yoweri Museveni) in trust for the wellbeing of all the people of Uganda.  The Murchison Falls is one such natural resource that must be protected for the common good of the citizens.

If allowed to carry out their self centered decisions to give away the , the purported dam -would significantly change the land use of the gazette Murchison Falls national park and as a result grossly violate the citizens’ constitutional rights to a clean and healthy environment as envisioned in our national constitution.

Further still, a well settled -inter generational -international environmental law principle  provides for equity in the exploitation of environmental resources between and among generations. The principles alludes to the fact that  the present generation should that the healthy, diversity and productivity of the environment are maintained for  the benefit of the present and future generations.

In other words, this settle principal of international environmental law confers rights on future generations and imposes a correlative duty of good stewardship over environmental resources by the resent generation . We can not therefore, watch on haplessly as the country’s environment is being destroyed by a few for selfish purposes.

The International court of justice has since pronounced itself on the inter generational principle to preserve the environment  and given it efficacy . The court ruled that the environment is not an abstraction but rather represents the living space , forests, water- the quality of life and the very health of humans including generations unborn.

Government bureaucrats  , therefore, should be reminded that the government they serve is bound by local and international law instruments to conserve and sustainably utilize our natural and  biological resources .It is also  of paramount importance to note that environment experts have already declared and equated the dangers posed by climate change to those of a nuclear annihilation as the greatest threats of humankind in the 21 century .

The Public Trust Doctrine in the management of Uganda’s natural resources as provided in the national constitution must be exercised for what it is –to protect the country’s  environment and natural resources including but not limited to the Murchshion Falls.

The writer is an Advocate of the High Court and

media / communications consultant /trainer.

msserwanga@gmail.com

CLIMATE CHANGE AND FOOD INSECURITY RESPONSIBLE FOR UNDERDEVELOPMENT IN IGAD MEMBER STATES

By Moses Sserwanga in Mombasa

Climate change and food insecurity are two interlinked problems that are contributing to underdevelopment of the 11 countries that form the Intergovernmental Authority on Drought and Development IGAD region, Dr. Workneh Gebeyeyu, the IGAD SecretaryGeneral, has said.

Speaking at the official opening of the 54th Greater Horn of Africa Climate Outlook Forum (GHACOF54), in Kenya’s coastal city of Mombasa , Dr. Gebeyeyu didn’t mince words when explaining the grim picture that faces the region noting that about 10% of the region’s 250 million people are chronically food insecure while over 80% of the population derives their livelihood from agriculture and therefore factors that affect land productivity due to climate change directly impact their welfare.

His remarks were echoed by a representative from CARE, Ms. Fiona Percy, who told the gathering that in recent times, 25 countries have reported climate change emergences. She said that above releasing the periodic seasonal weather forecasts , countries now need to focus more on climate change issues to put in place measures that will help communities to be resilient in the future since we live in a warming world.

Impact of climate change

Climate variability and climate change , Dr. Gebeyeyu said, has significant impact on the social and economic development in the IGAD region and other parts of Africa. “The region is particularly exposed to the shocks of climate extremes mainly due to the economic significance of our rain-fed agriculture. Climate related risks affect water resources, health, energy, and tourism. Scarce resources such as water, pastures due to climate change, will to conflicts that lead to insecurity and displacement,” he warned at the event which is being attended by over 200 delegates. 

The IGAD Secretary General however ,hastened to add that recent advances in science and technology offer significant hope in improvements of the quality of climate services. He said that his organization , through the IGAD Climate Prediction and Applications Centre (ICPAC) avails and promotes accessibility of timely climate early warning advisories that should help communities to deal with any potential adverse effects that will be precipitated by climate change .

“The centre supports specific sector applications to enable the region cope with various risks associated with climate variability and changes. ICPAC organizes regional climate outlook forums before the onset of the major rainfall seasons to release regional consensus climate guidance, assess associated impacts and develop sector specific mitigation strategies,” Dr.Gebeyeyu said adding that since February 1998, ICPAC has organized fifty-four regional climate outlook forums (RCOFs) and according to WMO among all climate centres globally, ICPAC has held the largest number of RCOFs.

In order to address problems of food insecurity and environmental degradation, the IGAD boss said that his organization was working with the member states and other development and civil society partners to improve food access especially in the chronically food insecure areas by boosting agricultural production and facilitating the movement of food from surplus producing areas to the deficit ones.

He said IGAD was committed to strengthening rational utilization of trans-boundary natural resources, promoting the use of renewable energy resources and rational management of freshwater resources .

Need for user-friendly weather and climate forecasts

The guest of honour, Hon. Mohammed Elmi, who is the Chief Administrative Secretary at the Ministry of Environment and Forestry of Kenya called for user friendly weather and climate forecasts and urged the IGAD member states to find practical solutions to the global phenomenon of climate change.

Climate change is real

Mr. Gilbert B. Kitiyo, MBS, County Commissioner, Mombasa , noted that the negative effects of climate change can be seen all around us in the form of global warming and corresponding increase in the frequency of adverse weather and extreme climate events which occasionally evolve into disasters. He underscored the importance of the meteorology agencies across the region arguing that they play a critical role in the socio-economic development of any country .

THE Climate Prediction and Application Center (ICPAC) Director, Dr. Guleid Artan ,emphasized that Climate related hazards are becoming more intense and frequent due climate change. Our region in the past few years has seen several extreme climate induced disasters.

He said that unlike in the past , 2019 experienced climate extremes which included 8 cyclones in the western Indian Ocean which used to experience one or to two cyclones every couple of years. The October, November to December rainfall season was one of the wettest on record and rains have continued into January which is usually a dry season, he noted, adding that in the first part of year ,most of the equatorial sector of the region saw prolonged droughts.

The delegates were also alarmed to learn that July 2019 was the warmest month globally since 1880.“From data published in the last 10 days, 2019 was second warmest year on record, just 0.04°C behind 2016 that was the warmest year for global temperature. He also attributed the desert locust invasion in the region to favourable conditions, warm temperatures, excessive rains which provided the insects with ample vegetation to feed on.

What ICPAC is doing

ICPAC is a specialized institution of IGAD. It is a regional climate center of excellence that creates regional products including long-range forecasts that support regional and national climate activities and thereby strengthen capacity of Member States in the GHA region to deliver better climate services to national users.

GHACOF54 is being held under the theme; “Managing Climate-Related Risks for Resilience”in the 11 member states of IGAD which are ,Uganda , Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Djibouti, Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan, Burundi and Rwanda.

The sessions are being moderated by, Mr. Bernard Chanzu, Mr. Martin Owor Commisioner Disaster Management Uganda, John Mungai, Ms. Fiona Percy, Abiy Hailu, Deus Bamanya, Abubakr Salih and Geoffrey Sabiiti.

Fact file;

GHACOF54 is organized by the IGAD Climate Prediction and Applications Centre (ICPAC) in collaboration with the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Kenya Meteorological Department (KMD) and partners.

Participants include, climate scientists, researchers, users from key socio-economic sectors, governmental and non-governmental organizations, development partners, decision makers, media and civil society stakeholders .

The writer is a Media and Communications Consultant and Advocate Of the High Court

msserwanga@gmail.com

KIIRA MOTORS PRODUCES ITS SECOND KAYOOLA ELECTRIC BUS :THE COMPANY IS NOW TAKING ORDERS FOR VEHICLES MADE IN UGANDA

By Moses Sserwanga

Uganda 's automotive flagship , Kiira Motors Corporation (KMC) has completed the building of it's second Kayoola electric bus at the UPDF's Luwero Industries in Nakasongola some 150 kilometers north of the capital city Kampala.

This major milestone paves the way for Kiira Motors engineers to carry out road drills for Uganda's second market validation electric bus as the company readies to produce electric buses for commercial purposes for the first time in its history .

Kiira Motors' second Kayola electric bus also known as the Koyola EVS has similar specs and features like the first one the company produced and unveiled on November 16 this year .

The second bus has also been built in Nakasongola using green mobility technologies developed by engineers at Kiira Motors with support from their technology partners Chinese ‘s leading Original Equipment Manufacturer ,(OEP), CHTC Motor. Co. Ltd, KMC’s Executive Chairman , Prof. Sandy Stevens Tickodri-Togboa ,told this publication .

Dr. Elioda Tumwesigye , Uganda’s Minister of Science Technology and Innovation, said that Kiira Motors has gained the requisite capabilities and technological know how to produce as many electric buses a month . “Government ministries, departments and agencies should consider buying these buses from Kiira Motors because they have the capacity to supply,” Dr. Tumwesigye stated.

According to , Eng. Richard Madanda , the Kayoola electric buses can cover a distance of 300 kilometers under a single charge. They have a speed governor that allows a maximum speed of 80 kilometers per hour but can pick up to a speed of 140 Kilometers per hour .

Madanda said that a team of 20 personnel , 10 from Kiira Motors and 10 from the Uganda People’s Defence Forces , (UPDF) Luwero Industries Ltd , built the second bus in under two months .

Kiira Motors CEO,Mr. Paul Isaac Musasizi, earlier told this publication that the company now has proven capacity to build and produce eight buses a month at their temporary base at Luwero Industries in Nakasongola. KCM is expected to produce an initial 5,000 vehicles per year when the Kiira Vehicles Plant at the Jinja Industrial and Business Park is commissioned in June 2021.

 “We have four stationary assembly positions here. Once the teams are fully aligned and there is no more learning, we could build four units simultaneously,” Musasazi said adding that it would take the fully primed teams only 14 days to build a bus.

“ We will source the vehicles components locally to ensure the development of local content for the country’s nascent automotive industry .We will get steel, plastics , chairs, bolts , batteries , steering wheel among others sourced locally and import only that we don’t have ,” Musasizi stressed.

The Kayoola EVS buses have a capacity of 90 passengers (49 sitting and 41 standing) while the diesel engine ones will seat 65 passengers . These buses will be built locally by KMC engineers using technologies developed by the company and in partnership with the UPDF’s Luwero Industries Limited led by Brig. Gen Octavius Butuuro.  Luwero Industries is a subsidiary of the National Enterprise Corporation (NEC) the business arm of the army headed by the amiable Gen. James Mugira.

A number of lady engineers have participated in the building of the second Kayoola electric bus and these include, Eng.Doreen Orishaba, Eng.Pauline Korukundo, Eng.Vanessa Nakalanzi, Ms.Thatcher Mpanga, Ms.Brenda Nagginda and Ms. Susan Najjulu .

Prof. Tickodri was full of praises for President Yoweri Museveni who believed in the mission and has given Kiira Motors enormous support over the years . “ Without General Yoweri Museveni’s support, Kiira Motors wouldn’t be where we are right now –at the world stage to showcase Uganda’s electric car production capabilities ,” he stated .

The writer is a media and communications consultant

and Advocate of the High Court of Uganda

msserwanga@gmail.com

SENIOR CABINET MINISTERS SPEAK-OUT ON THE NEW STELLAR KAYOOLA ELECTRIC BUS

By Moses Sserwanga

 Senior cabinet ministers have noted that Uganda is now ready to offer viable green mobility transport solutions to solve the growing problem of congestion in Kampala city and other urban centers following the successful market validation of Kiira Motors’s new stellar Kayoola electric bus.

 Speaking at the 6th Engineers forum at hotel African on December 5th, 2019, the Minister of Science Technology and Innovation, Dr. Elioda Tumwesigye , said that Kiira Motors Corporation Ltd- has gained the requisite capabilities and technological know how to produce at least two electric buses a month . “Government ministries, departments and agencies should consider buying these buses from Kiira Motors because they have the capacity to supply,” Dr. Tumwesigye who was flanked by the Minister of Works and Transport, Engineer Monica Azuba Ntege and Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Mr. Matia Kasaija , stated .

The new glamorous Kayoola electric bus which can carry 90 passengers was showcased at the  two day Engineers forum held under the theme ;” The Engineer in the 4th Industrial Revolution”. The bus the first of its kind in Africa was built using Kiira Motors developed green mobility technology and made a successful maiden trip from the Uganda People’s Defence Forces, (UPDF) ‘s Luwero Industries in Nakasongola to Kampala city in just under two hours covering a distance of 150 kilometers . 

 The Works and Transport Minister , Engineer Monica Azuba Ntege was among many excited Ugandans to take a test drive in the Kayoola electric bus -one of many innovations that have been unveiled by Uganda’s flagship for the nascent automotive Industry –Kiira Motors . Eng. Monica Azuba stated , "Kayoola EVS is very comfortable and drives smoothly and the finishes are good and up to standard. We now need the necessary infrastructure including bus lanes . Kampala Capital City Authority should put in place the BRT infrastructure to decongest Kampala now that we have the capacity to make buses here in Uganda- which can also be utilized at the airport.”

 Finance Minister Kasaija implored the engineers at Kiira Motors to innovate more and called on Ugandans to embrace home grown technologies and support the commercialization of Ugandan innovations with KMC taking the lead. 

 What the experts say

 Automotive Industry experts have since noted that there is no need to import buses from India when the country has demonstrable capabilities to deploy home grown transport solutions for urban centers .

 Eng. Dr. Sagala Paul Neil Sekikubo, while delivering a paper titled the 4th Industrial Revolution : Transport Sector Implications For Uganda ,deplored the pathetic transport conditions in Kampala city where people drive single occupancy vehicles to their workplace thus congesting and polluting the city with obsolete technology . In a lively session chaired by Engineer Dr. Isaac Mutenyo , Dr. Sagala urged the Ministry of Transport , KCCA and all other sector players to consider and apply the green mobility model that is being championed by Kiira Motors. “Kiira Motors have the technology , they have demonstrated capabilities to deliver buses both electric and combustion engines .Government and the private sector can come in to buy and deploy these buses with green mobility technologies. Let all the stakeholders support this initiative to have home grown solutions for our domestic challenges ,”he stated .

 The Kayoola EVS has a range of 300km on a single charge. The bus is also fitted with state-of-the-art infortainment as well other features like USB Ports and onboard Wifi.

 Kiira Motors Corporation is a domestic automotive industry value chain initiative to enhance automotive local content participation and technology transfer. The CEO , Mr. Paul Isaac Musasizi said the company has plans to facilitate multi-sectoral and lateral linkages in the automotive industry with adjacent industries including; energy (solar) for mobility, interior upholstery from locally available cotton and leather, Silica used to manufacture sheet glass and iron ore for automotive steel.

 Dr. Elioda Tumwesigye emphasized government role in providing policy guidance and oversight during the establishment of a sustainable domestic automotive industry value chain.

 “The Ministry has embarked on a process of developing a comprehensive Automotive Industry Policy that will stimulate and promote automotive engineering, auto parts and components manufacturing and vehicle production in Uganda. Through technology transfer with strategic global automotive industry players an enabling environment to attract investment in the automotive value chain, we envision the establishment of an internationally competitive automotive industry through standardization and regulation,” he emphasized .

What is being done

 In conformity with global green mobility solutions standards, Kiira Motors Corporation is further undertaking a 12 months study on rolling out electric buses in urban centers in Sub-Saharan Africa with the Kayoola EVS. The study is aimed at the validation of market requirements and the development of strategic value chain partners for the Kiira Vehicle Plant which is under construction at the Jinja Industrial and business Park .

 The writer is a Media , Communications Consultant and

Advocate of The High Court of Uganda .

msserwanga@gmail.com

UGANDA’S FINANCE MINISTER KASAIJA HAILS KIIRA MOTORS-SAYS COUNTRY SHOULD PREPARE FOR THE 4th INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION

By Moses Ssserwanga

Uganda’s Finance Minister , Mr. Matia Kasaija has underscored  the importance of  technological innovations  as the country prepares for the 4th industrial revolution .

" A country that doesn't innovate as we head into the 4th industrial revolution is a dead one. Uganda should keep pace with the rest of the world in the field of science , technology and  innovation to create jobs and improve our general wellbeing ," Kasaija said .

The minister made the remarks while on a fact finding visit  to the Kiira Motors Vehicle Plant that is under construction at the Jinja Industrial and Business Park. “With digitalization, artificial intelligence and development of electric vehicles, Uganda must keep as close as possible to the rest of the world. New technologies are emerging everyday and as a country we should be prepared not to be left behind, ” the Minister stated .

While appreciating the management and stuff of Kiira Motors for their innovations to champion green mobility technologies as a solution to Uganda’s urban transportation needs, Kasaija said that it was the NRM government’s ideology to have Ugandans at the center  of the country’s economic development .

“The economy should be in the hands of Ugandans and everything is being done to develop capacity of local contractors to take on and deliver quality works on some of the country’s infrastructure development projects” , he said. The Minister said local companies with demonstrable capacity  should  be encouraged to undertake infrastructure development projects on which government spends an estimated  Shs. 7 trillion. “This is the only way we can develop and  increase local content participation.”   

Kasaija implored other Uganda innovators to follow the Kiira Motors model -to patent and commercialize  their innovations  . Kiira Motors has unveiled its production electric buses paving way for the deployment of the first Ugandan made  Kayoola EVS buses for urban transportation . After the successful validation tests, the Kayoola EVS buses are expected to be deployed on the Entebbe express highway .

The Finance Minister pledged that government will bridge the funding gap for the Kiira Vehicles plant to be completed on schedule .  “The Job you have started by demonstrating  local capacity in development of green mobility technologies as a solution for urban public transportation shall be completed ,” he stressed.

The minister was taken on a site tour by the Kiira Motors Executive Chairman , Prof. Sandy Stevens Tickodri-Togboa, the Under Secretary of Ministry Of Science Technology and Innovation, Mr. Emmanuel Freddie Mugunga , the CEO, Mr. Paul Isaac Musasizi and Brig. Gen. Ddiba Ssentongo the Deputy Managing Director of National Enterprise Corporation ,(NEC) the business army of the UPDF who are in charge of the construction works .

Prof. Tickodri thanked  President Yoweri Museveni for believing and supporting Kiira Motors’  mission vehicles made in Uganda . Brig. Ssentongo said that with the availability of funds ,  NEC has the capacity to complete the  construction of the Kiira Vehicle Plant  ahead of schedule. “We shall delivery a world class vehicle plant to show that Uganda and the UPDF have the requisite competences and capacity to deliver high quality projects of national strategic importance ,” he said.

Mr. Mugunga called for the setting up of a National Construction Company in a deliberate effort to stop capital freight by foreign companies .

According to , Mr. Paul Isaac Musasizi, the new Kiira Motors  electric buses can cover a distance of 300 kilometers under a single charge.  They have a speed governor that allows a maximum speed of 80 kilometers per hour but can pick up to a speed of 140 Kilometers per hour .

The 12 meter long  Kayoola EVS buses  have a capacity of 90 passengers (49 sitting and 41 standing) while the diesel engine ones will seat 65 passengers .

The writer is a media and communications consultant  and advocate of the high Court of Uganda

msserwanga@gmail.com

UGANDA SHOULD COMMERCIALISE ITS INNOVATIONS WITH KIIRA MOTORS TAKING THE LEAD

By MOSES SSERWANGA

Reference is made to an article by a one MatsikoKahunga that has been published by the New Vision and Observer newspapers ,respectively, where he makes uninformed arguments that Kiira Motors or any other Ugandan innovators for that matter don’t have capacity to turn their innovations into commercial products on a large scale .

Suffice to say that this is the mentality or mindset lock that has kept not only Uganda but the black African continent lagging behind in terms of development for  more than 200 years .  While many Ugandan innovators have failed to have their innovations transformed into commercial products for various reasons, at least Kiira Motors is on a steady trajectory to hit the market place by becoming the first indigenous registered company to produce both electric and combustion engine vehicles at a commercial level.

This follows a well laid out road-map approved by cabinet in April 2018to  commercialize the Kiira Electric Vehicle Project by championing value addition in the domestic automotive industry for job creation and diversification of the Ugandan economy. The cabinet decision was informed by a comprehensive appraisal and approval of the Feasibility Study for Setting Up and Operating the Kiira VehiclePlant by the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development.

 

By doing this , government and the management of Kiira Motors were fully aware that to make  this giant step –going forward,   the market entry strategy is to produce vehicles starting with electric buses in partnership with a reputable automotive manufacturers(s)  also known as (aka) Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs).  It is anticipated  that this partnership will foster the progressive development of automotive local content participation through technology transfer .

It should be noted, therefore,  that Kiira Motors is already collaborating with CHTC Motor Co. Ltd a vehicle-manufacturing venture and a wholly-owned subsidiary of the China National Machinery Industry Corporation (SINOMACH), the largest State-Owned group with the most diverse and comprehensive lines of business and strongest research and development (R&D) capabilities in China’s machinery industry.

SINOMACH was ranked 334th in the 2017 list of the world’s top 500 companies, with revenues of USD 32.24 Billion. CHTC Motor has seven vehicle manufacturing facilities in China and two in Europe (TAM airport Buses and GINAF trucks) producing a comprehensive product portfolio covering pick-up trucks, light, medium & heavy duty trucks, buses and sports utility vehicles(SUVs) with conventional Internal Combustion Engine(ICE) and new energy Powertrain options (electric, fuel cell, solar, compressed natural gas(CNG), water, etc.).

With this partnership, it is envisaged further  that at  the start of Kiira Motors Commercialization of its green mobility technologies/products (ie. Electric buses )- CHTC Motor Co. Ltd will  supply, install, validate  plant machinery, tools and equipment; work with  Kiira Motors engineers to design  plant systems, processes and standard Operating procedures; supply of kits in line with the production schedule; train and manufacture launch-support for the Kiira Vehicle Plant which is under construction at the Jinja Industrial and Business park.

The idea here is to make sure that all the vehicles production processes are carried out at the Kiira Motors vehicle plant to ensure capacity development and technology transfer  while at the same time allowing development of automotive local content participation.

This approach when well executed will eliminate the mere importation of semi-knock down kits for assembly purposes only. In otherward, the engineers at Kiira Motors will be allowed to develop their skills in development of vehicle parts and building them into complete vehicle units.

There is also the misplaced argument about the legality of Kiira Motors Corporation Ltd.  For the record, Kiira Motors Corporation is a limited liability Company incorporated under the

Companies Act, 2012,with 96% government equity and Makerere university owning 4%.  So its a fallacy for one to state  that Kiira Motors is a government department or agency or academic institution and whoever is making such allegations must be having ulterior motives akin to those of briefcase middlemen.

Until two years ago, Kiira Motors was being operated at Uganda Development Corporation where its progression to commercialize its products stalled -for again various reasons which necessitated President Yoweri Museveni to  intervene and had it transferred to the Ministry of Science Technology and Innovation .

Again for the record, the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation is mandated to provide policy guidance and oversight to Kiira Motors Corporation  and is not involved in the company’s day today operations.

Ugandan innovators should be allowed the space to mature their products and have them produced on a large commercial scale with Kiira Motors taking the lead.

The writer is a media and communications consultant trainer / Advocate of the High court of Uganda

msserwanga@gmail.com