PRESIDENT MUSEVENI HAS CALLED UPON UGANDAN SCIENTISTS TO INNOVATE FOR IMPORT SUBSTITUTION AND EXPORT PROMOTION

 By  Moses Sserwanga

President  Yoweri Museveni has called upon Uganda Scientists to use innovation to support the country’s  import substitution and export promotion- drive  through value addition .  Gen. Museveni was officiating at a colourful  event celebrate to mark the World Science Day for Peace and Development held at Kololo Independence grounds on November 10,2021.

President Museveni reiterated his determination to have  all scientists who work in government get better remuneration -noting that in a government’s new new strategic direction – to have Ugandan innovations reach the commercialization stage resources will be provided through direct budgetary  allocations and Uganda Development Bank (UDB)- where innovators will access affordable credit at very low interest rates.

He said that the NRM Government has been working to promote science-led industrial development policy for faster transformation.

“Science led industrial development has been our goal in government. With effect from June 2021, I put the Ministry of Science and Technology under the Office of the President so that it can be effectively managed and financed,” Museveni explained while giving an example of some of the ventures he and government have supported such as Uganda’s automakers Kiira Motors Corporation –who are now producing vehicles for the African market  and the Joint Clinical Research Centre (JCRC) in developing a diagnostic test for Covid-19 that produces results within 30 minutes.

The Science Day was held under the theme “The future of science technology and innovation in Uganda: Breaking the silos & leveraging synergies for a skilled and sustainable workforce for national economic transformation”  and was attended by among others the Minister for the Presidency Babirye Milly Babalanda, the Minister of Science Technology and Innovation Office of the President ,Dr. Monica Musenero, Minister of State for Education Hon. Muyingo Professor Sandy Stevens Tickodri-Togboa the Board Chairman Kiira Motors among others.

The Executive Director of UNESCO in Uganda, Prof. Eriabu Lugujo said that Africa cannot develop without science. He saluted the President for prioritizing science teachers through improved remunerations.

The Principle of the College of Veterinary medicine of Makerere University Prof. David Kabasa in a keynote address called for collaboration among Ugandan scientists through think tanks to commercialize their innovations .

Museveni saluted the new Minister of STI OP Dr. Musenero for  undertaking several key stakeholder engagements which have led to the identification of six (6) priority industrial value chains to  be  the  core  focus  for  strategic  intervention  in  the short-medium term under NDP III namely: Pathogen Economy, Engineering, Mobility, Beauty and Apparel, Digital Economy, and Agro-Security.

“There will be increased industrialisation, commercialization,    productivity    and    enterprise development  with  the  right  application  of  Science, Technology and Innovation in each of these identified industrial  value  chains. 

The  prioritization  of  the selected  Industrial  Value  Chains  was  informed  by four (4) key attributes based on careful consideration and these include -Need: Items that will transform how our people’s lives  and  do  business  (Supporting  the  Parish Model)-Advantage:   where   Uganda   has   competitive advantage   such as    raw    materials,    localization potential ;Market:   Availability   of   domestic,   regional, continental and global market and potential for growth looking at trends in market size.

Dr. Musenero  explained why they chose  this year’s theme thus, ” We chose this theme because it aligned with the ongoing efforts to address some of the constraining fragmentation, silos and gaps that have characterized STI in the country. It also reflects the progress so far made in building synergies to create a well-coordinated National Science, Technology and Innovation System focused on a common prioritized agenda.”

 The World Science Day for Peace and Development is annually celebrated on 10th November globally. It was initiated by the United Nations Education and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in a bid to recognize and promote Science and Technology in the advancement of societies since 1937.

The exhibition at Kololo which has attracted over 50 of Uganda’s finest innovators across six Industrial Value Chains followed  the first ever  -colourful -green mobility industrial value chain motor parade which was staged around the capital Kampala as part of the Science week.

 The motor parade involved Kiira Motors Corporation (KMC Uganda’s automotive industry champion, Tondeka Metro- Bus Service  , Zembo and  International University of East Africa who are spearheading-electric motorcycle transport in and around Kampala ,other cities and urban centers.

The parade was flagged- off  by the Minister of Science , Technology and Innovation in the Office of the President Dr. Monica Musenero . She was accompanied by the Kiira Motors Board of Directors  Chairman ,Prof. Sandy Steven Tickodri-Togoboa and the Mr. Fred Senoga a Director at Tondeka Metro Bus Service.

Dr. Musenero highlighted the objectives for this year’s Science Week-which  include showcasing- the existing scientific innovations (prototypes), human resource, equipment and natural resources in the country for synergy formation to increase productivity through value chain adoption.

Other objectives are  to create awareness about the new National STI Innovations System including the Think-tanks, Secretariat, the industrial value chain approach, hackathons, multi-sectoralism, Intellectual Property, and focus on industrialization and commercialization.

The NSW is also meant to  advocate for increased government and stakeholder collaboration in commercialization of R&D and science education at all levels of learning; promote domestic scientific literature, publications and books towards a knowledge-based economy.

Several innovators were recognized and received cash prizes including a nine-year-old primary four girl  Trany Ann Mpagi.

msserwanga@gmail.com

UGANDA SET FOR THE BIGGEST SCIENCE INNOVATORS’ AWARDS 2021

 BY MOSES SSERWANGA

The Ministry of Science , Technology and Innovation (ST&I) - Office of the President in partnership with the Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU) is organizing the Uganda Science Innovators’ Awards to celebrate Ugandans’ innovation efforts and inspire young innovators to activate their abilities and contribute to the technology development of the country.

Ministry officials have told ugandaupdatenews.com – a leading Uganda online news publisher -that the Uganda Innovation Awards- the first of a kind to be held in the country ,corresponds to the ST &I Minister Hon. Dr Monica Musenero's reflection on Uganda’s Aspirations and Pathways to Vision 2040 in her famous saying; “Africa needs African minds to solve African problems.”

The Awards have been positioned to align with the National Science Week and the World Science Day for Peace and Development Celebrations commemorated annually on 10th November.

President Yoweri Museveni -a strong champion for home grown innovations- to offer solutions to local problems is expected to be the guest of honor at the Awards ceremony on 10 Nov 2021 -where winners will receive cash prizes geared at supporting them to improve their prototypes, register Intellectual Property (IP) and support their  incubation leading to commercialization.

“Winners of the Uganda Innovation Awards will also enjoy practical three to six months technical training to improve their skills and enhance their capabilities,” officials stated .

Although many Ugandan innovations supported by President Yoweri Museveni for over wo decades now- have not survived the “valley of death” to commercialization , Uganda’s automakers and champions of the green mobility technologies in Africa – Kiira Motors Corporation (KMC) is one shining example that Ugandan Innovators can have their products commercialized and cement Uganda’s industrial revolution.

Kiira Motors Corporation (KMC) which had a humble beginning at Makerere University’s  College of Engineering as an extra -curricular activity under the stewardship of Prof. Sandy Stevens Tickodri -Togboa and Eng. Paul Isaac Musasizi -with the support of President Museveni is now set to produce vehicles locally -on a commercial large scale .

In order to have many more innovators of KMC’s ilk -the new Minister of ST&I Dr. Musenero has hit the road running fast – setting up ST&I national think tanks -not only to inspire local innovators but to also  coordinate their efforts and have their innovations commercialized -in line with government of Uganda’s industrialization policy .

The KMC success story has been about a high-level of resilience ,commitment and determination . They have demonstrated that if Ugandan innovators are focused and united they will be at the forefront of the country’s industrialization drive during the 4th industrial revolution. 

This is the same spirit under which the Uganda Innovation Awards are being organized . Several categories have been identified and earmarked for the awards and these include : Pathogen Economy; Engineering; Mobility; Beauty and Apparel; Digital Economy; and Agro-Security.

To augment the position of scientists in the country an award tied to the best scientist will be given. These categories were chosen on the basis of the findings from consultative meetings undertaken by the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovations with government Ministries, Departments and Agencies in the identification of priority industrial value chains for Uganda. Twelve winners will be obtained from two age-groups i.e.above 18 (18+) and under 18(>18), one from each category.

Uganda Innovation Awards will be a national event and the biggest ever organizers have intimated that the Uganda Innovation Awards will be a truly national event where innovators will be allowed to showcase their innovations and use social media platforms to appeal to Ugandans for their votes . 

“It is going to be a transparent process involving the Ugandan people directly . Information about the awards is going to be translated in the local languages and circulated widely . Ugandans should be proud of their country and fellow -countrymen who are innovating – that good innovations and products can be produced in Uganda and by Ugandans,” officials asserted.  

The writer is a Media and Communications Consultant and Advocate of the High Court of Uganda msserwanga@gmail.com

Award Categories

Pathogen Economy: The award in this category will go to the innovators with innovations targeting disease control and management. The innovations will include; vaccines, therapeutics, diagnostics, biomedical ICT and Equipment.

Engineering: This award will aim at recognizing innovators with technology related innovations in renewable energy, mechanical, electrical and electronic engineering as well as civil engineering and chemical engineering among others.

Mobility Economy: The award recognizes innovations that augment the national mobility ecosystem along the develop, make, sell and use tiers. These should be towards the development of environmentally friendly, efficient, inclusive and safe mobility solutions.

Beauty and Apparel: Innovators with innovations in cosmetology and textile processing will be earmarked for this award. It will look into innovations in skincare products and hair products for cosmetics as well as fabric and thread production, fabric recycling, textile production technology and value addition for existing raw materials.

Digital Economy: The digital economy awards will be given to innovators who demonstrate high aptitudes in designing information and communication technologies and applications that ease transmission and knowledge dissemination.

Agro-security: This award will value innovations in agro processing, agribusiness, soil conservation, agriculture technologies, food preservation and safety applications among others. An Innovator with practical models, devices and applications adding value to food propagation, value addition and food conservation will be awarded.

Women Innovators Award: This award will go to a seasoned woman innovator. They should have registered at least a patent and at least have a product on the market.

STI Science Ambassador: This award will recognize the most outstanding scientist in Uganda for their contribution to science innovation and technology. They should have registered at least 5 patents and at least have a product on the market.

Objectives of the Award

●      To recognize outstanding innovators and innovations

●      To earmark innovations for scaling up and commercialization purposes

●      To create visibility of Ugandan capabilities in technology development and innovation

●      To inspire Ugandans especially youth into technology development and innovation

Criteria

The awards will be;

1.     Cash prizes that will be tagged to efforts to support the innovators to improve their prototypes, register their innovations/ patents, support them with incubation, commercialize their products.

2.     Practical 3-6 months technical training to improve the innovators’ skills be given in the form of incentives to upgrade the capabilities of the innovators. A practical approach will be employed that should offer measurable outcomes.

Steps to follow when submitting the nomination of your innovation (either by self -innovator or other person- nominator)

1. Record a video of the innovator explaining the innovation in strictly not more than 2 mins (120 seconds)
2. The recording could be shot using a phone or any other gadget that can perform the service
3. The video quality should be excellent and the sound audible.
4. Share the video on email innovation.awards@gcic.go.ug or Tel:+256 414 670 288

Details of the Innovator which should include;

                            i.         Name

                          ii.          Age

                         iii.          Phone Number

                         iv.          District

                           v.          Category of innovation

Note

·       The deadline for submission of nominations is 20th October 2021 at midnight

·       Vetting and shortlisting of successful nominees: 21st -24th October, 2021

·       Voting of shortlisted nominees: 25th October to 8th November, 2021

·       Voting will end on 8th November, 2021 at Midnight

·       Announcements will be on T.V, local radios, newspapers and social media platforms

Outcome

·       The shortlisted candidates will face a panel of Judges who will give a verdict based on the presentation, capability and knowledge of their innovation.

·       The top three candidates per category per age group will be shared with the public for final voting.

·       Media profiling for each innovator will be done as well as that of the STI Science Ambassador.

·       All successful winners including the Science Ambassador will be given a slot to exhibit their innovations at the World Science Day Celebrations on 10th November, 2021.

UGANDANS SHOULD BE READY FOR THE IMMENSE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES WHEN THE CONSTRUCTION OF KIIRA VEHICLE PLANT IS COMPLETED AT END OF THIS YEAR

 

BY MOSES SSERWANGA

The construction of Uganda’s first car production facilities – the Kiira Vehicle Plant -the largest in the East and Central Africa region is set to be completed by December this year -providing immense economic opportunities across the country’s nascent Automotive Industry value chain . But are Ugandans prepared and ready to cash in ?

The new Minister of Science Technology and Innovation, Office of the President,  Dr. Monica Musenero   who made her maiden  tour of  the multi- billion Kiira Vehicle Plant  at the Jinja Industrial and Business park has since rallied Ugandans to position themselves and supply vehicle parts to the facility that will produce 22 buses per day and 5,000 a year .

Dr. Musenero  has observed and rightly so -that the motor vehicle market is growing steadily with regional vehicle sales anticipated to reach over 630,000 vehicles annually for EAC and 10 million vehicles annually on the African Continent by 2030.   This trajectory therefore , presents  an- unprecedented – untapped opportunity  for domestic industrialization .

Motor Vehicles on average are made of an estimated 30,000 different parts -many of which can easily be made by Ugandans locally under -the government’s local content participation and  Buy Uganda ,Build Uganda (BUBU) -national economic and development policies.  

Apart from creating  well over -100,000 jobs directly and indirectly in the medium term -once the vehicle-production lines are opened at the plant early next year- Ugandans should be supported to set up cottage industries to produce car parts while adding value to the vast minerals that are abundant across the country .

It should be noted that Uganda is already endowed with vast amounts of  minerals, which can be used for vehicle parts manufacturing including iron ore for automotive steel; silica sand for glass; rare earth elements for glass glazing, catalytic converters, batteries  and electronics.

Other minerals include graphite for brake pads; oil for plastics; cobalt and lithium for batteries; kaolin, marble and vermiculite for paint; tungsten, columbite, tantalite, chromite and titanium for metal alloys; copper for auto electric conductors and motors, among others.

Many of the country’s youth can be trained and re-skilled to meaningfully participate and  directly benefit (cash in) from  – the localization of the lucrative  Uganda Automotive Industry- parts supply chain. This is how government’s vision- led by President Yoweri Museveni to build Uganda’s  first -ever indigenous Motor Vehicle Industry for  jobs and wealth creation will take root .

Government has already clearly defined its economic growth pathway  under its blue print - the NDPIII where it is stated that a sustainable and successful industrialization of Uganda -will by large measure be hinged on the development of key industrial sectors including the automotive industry. This will lead to import substitution by promoting   local manufacturing and mineral-based industries .

The promotion of local manufacturing of motor vehicles while also championing the establishment of an efficient, integrated, sustainable, safe and inclusive public transport system where environmentally friendly transport solutions.- with Kiira Motors taking the lead can longer be ignored .

And there are already positive indicators to show -that the private sector has positively taken note of the opportunity and is moving very fast to seize it .  Private players including bankers, insurance and other finance  companies , such as  RentCo Africa, UBA Bank, Absa, DFCU Bank, Stanbic Bank, Mercantile Bank, TOTAL Uganda, VIVO Energy, MOGAS, Hardware World, Telecoms -Airtel and MTN have expressed interest to partner with Kiira Motors in development of the local vehicle production industry .

Tondeka Metro  Co. has offered to be Kiira Motors first client -placing an unprecedent-offtake order to have 1,030 buses 50 of which will be fully electric – to be built at the -Kiira Vehicle Plant early next year .

This one deal alone ,if well managed is set to transform Uganda’s public transport system – in a manner that has not been witnessed here before .  And the benefits are huge . 

Under the deal it has been revealed , Kiira Motors Corporation will working with Tondeka Metro, RentCo Africa and Golden Dragon as the Technology Partner to produce 30,000 Buses at the Kiira Vehicle Plant for the East Africa Regional Market, with 65% Parts and Components localized by 2030.

Kiira Motors and its  partners will deploy the 1,030 Buses by mid-2022. This local joint venture  is aimed at modernizing public transport in the Urban Centers across  Uganda and beyond- while building the Indigenous Motor Vehicle Industry through Technology Transfer and Supply Chain Localization.

The Mass Transit Bus System (MTBS) will operate in the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area within the radius of 25-30km along gazette routes and is estimated to move approximately 600,000 people per day while adhering to the Ministry of Health guidelines on COVID-19 and 1,500,000 people per day on a business-as-usual scenario. Payments for tickets will be made through an end-to-end cashless ticketing system integrated with Mobile Money (Airtel Money, MTN Mobile Money and Afrimoney), Visa, Mastercard and Union Pay.

While the private sector is shifting ground to local manufacturing and providing home grown solutions for local problems , the ordinary Ugandan especially those in the transport industry -i.e the bus driver , the tax drivers , the touts , conductors , the mechanics and vehicle parts dealers should be mobilized in a concerted government effort -to be part of Uganda’s Automotive Industry revolution .

The writer is a media , communications, stakeholder engagements consultant and Advocate of the High  Court of Uganda .

msserwanga@gmail.com

MINISTER DR.MUSENERO TOURS KIIRA VEHICLE PLANT AS THE COMPANY IS SET TO PRODUCE 1,030 TONDEKA BUSES

 

BY MOSES SSERWANGA

The  new Minister of Science Technology and Innovation, Office of the President,  Dr. Monica Musenero   has made her maiden  toured of  the multi-million Kiira Vehicle Plant which will be completed at the end of the year with Kiira Motors set to produce 1,030  for the Tondeka  Mass Bus Transit System in Kampala.

Dr. Musenero was  received at the Kiira Vehicle Plant  (KVP) by  the company’s Executive Chairman , Prof. Sandy Stevens Tickodri- Togboa , the CEO , Mr. Paul Isaac Musasizi  and Lieutenant General, James Mugira the Managing Director, and the Chief Executive Officer of the National Enterprise Corporation (NEC), the business arm of the Uganda People's Defence Forces.

Kiira Vehicle Plant has been constructed by the UPDF engineering brigade under NEC and will be  the largest in the East and Central Africa with a capacity  to  produce 22 buses per day and 5,000 a year .

While underscoring the growing demand for vehicles on the African continent , Dr. Musenero who promised to be ‘technical minister’ called upon Ugandans to be ready to benefit from the huge economic benefits available in Uganda’s nascent automotive industry which has been championed by President Museveni for over two decades.

“The motor vehicle market is growing steadily with regional vehicle sales anticipated to reach over 630,000 vehicles annually for EAC and 10 million vehicles annually on the African Continent by 2030,” Dr. Musenero stated  adding that the growing demand for vehicles  remained an untapped opportunity for domestic industrialization .

Dr.Musenero explained  that government under the visionary leadership of  President Yoweri Museveni has taken definitive steps towards building the Indigenous Motor Vehicle Industry in Uganda that will create hundreds of thousands of jobs along the automotive industry value chain .

Prof. Tickodri said that building the Indigenous Motor Vehicle Industry provides an unprecedented opportunity for promoting value addition to Uganda’s mineral and other natural resources to ensure import substitution and export promotion of vehicles, parts, components and systems.

Eng. Hilary Obaloker Onek, Minister of Disaster Preparedness and Refugees - the Patron of the Uganda Institution of Professional Engineers expressed  happiness  that many  Ugandan engineers and other technical professionals were playing a leading  role in the design, construction and operation of the Kiira  Vehicle Plant thereby creating local capacity which is very much needed for government’s Buy Uganda ,Build Uganda (BUBU) policy.

Gen. James Mugira, said the Kiira Vehicle  Plant will go a longway to validate the UPDF’s  capacity and technical ability to deliver world class facilities . He asked government to released all the needed funds to complete the plant before the end of the year .

Kiira Motors Corporation (KMC) is currently utilizing the facilities and resources at NEC's facility in Nakasongola, build  another  two Kayoola fully electric buses and one Kayoola Diesel Coach which will bring the company’s locally made buses six.

Kiira Motors entering the market

The company is working with Tondeka Metro, Rent Co Africa and Golden Dragon as the Technology Partner to produce 30,000 Buses including fully electric ones -at the Kiira Vehicle Plant over a period of 10 years . The KVP will produce and deploy 1,030 buses by mid-2022, 50 of which will be electric.  The buses will be sold regionally and 65% of parts and components are to be produced  locally by 2030.

“The initiative is aimed at Modernizing Public Transport in the Urban Centers in Uganda and beyond, while building the Indigenous Motor Vehicle Industry through Technology Transfer and Supply Chain Localization,” the companies involved in this local joint venture announced early this year .

The Mass Transit Bus System (MTBS) will operate in the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area within the radius of 25-30km along gazette routes and is estimated to move approximately 600,000 people per day while adhering to the Ministry of Health guidelines on COVID-19 and 1,500,000 people per day on a business-as-usual scenario.

Payments for tickets will be made through an end-to-end cashless ticketing system integrated with Mobile Money (Airtel Money, MTN Mobile Money and Afri-money), Visa, Mastercard and Union Pay.

The Mass Transit Bus System is expected to improve passenger boarding and alighting times and reduce overall waiting and travel times to between 30 minutes to one hour on each trip as compared to the current taxi system travel/waiting time of over 1.3 hours while also reducing annual expenditure off individual disposable incomes on transportation within GKMA by up to 80%.

There will be improved revenue collection for taxi operators at the first and last mile through the Tondeka Taxi Owners Feeder Road Scheme that will enable integration into the Tondeka Cashless Ticketing and Payment System for a seamless commuter experience.

Building the Indigenous Motor Vehicle Industry is projected to create over 100,000 jobs directly and indirectly in the medium term including but not limited to engineers, IT specialists, planners, welders, painters, designers, architects, lawyers, financial analysts, accountants, economists, logistics and supply chain practitioners, auditors, human resources personnel, sales executives, marketers, machine operators, drivers, stewards and cleaners.

Tondeka joining other Kiira Motors Clients and Stakeholders to develop Uganda’s Automotive Industry

Other stakeholder present included a team of  Tondeka Executives led by their Chairman , Dr. Peter Kibowa who said that company will be Kiira Motors  first client to in fulfillment of what President Museveni   directed to do -that’s to use the private sector financing mechnanism to put in place a modern mass transport system in Kampala.

Other stakeholders were -8M Forum which was represented by Eng. Darlington Sakwa, a leading ICT specialist and consultant; Mr. Stuart Jason Mwesigwa, the Chief Commercial Manager of Roofings Ltd.; Total, Absa Bank, DFCU Bank , MTN and Airtel , Hardware World among others .

 

KIIRA MOTORS TO PRODUCE 1,030 TONDEKA BUSES

 

Kiira Motors-Uganda’s  pioneer automakers is set to produce at least 1,030 buses  50 units of which will be electric for Tondeka BTC to be deployed for the Mass Transit Bus Sytem Project in the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area , the two companies announced in various tweets on their respective official twitter handles.   In what is considered to be  the biggest- multi-billion local partnership that will also attract Original Equipment Manufacturing (OEM) technology transfer , financing and ICT ticketing -systems operator companies, the Companies said that preparation for the delivery of 10 “training buses” (8 diesel and 2 electric) is underway. These will include  5 Complete Built Unit (CBU)/Fully Built Unit (FBU) diesel buses; parts & materials for building 3 diesel and 2 electric buses; and 2 chargers will be shipped and delivered before  end of August 2020.   Kiira Motors and Tondeka executives were tight lipped about the details of the partnership which sources said has been a work in progress since the year began .  Impeccable sources said details about partnership which many  Ugandans have been pushing for - to  realise Mission Vehicles  Made  in  Uganda will be “released at an appropriate time .”   The companies however ,indicated that the building of the 3 diesel and 2 electric buses will be done at KiiraMotors. “This will facilitate training of critical mass on manufacturing and maintenance of the  buses ensuring end to end operationalization of the #KiiraVehiclePlant.”   They explained that the ‘Training Buses” will also enable validation of the Logistics Plan and Strategy for delivery of parts and materials for the 1,030 Buses. This includes packaging; handling of goods during shipment, delivery lead time, customs clearance, road transportation among others.   “The Training Buses will empower the Operator Ecosystem through training of drivers, charging operators, stewards, supervisors, cleaners and data collection ahead of the launch of the Mass Transit Bus System. The Training Buses will also ensure bus deployment validation of the Ticketing and Fare Collection System (TFCS)  IT infrastructure, depots, charging infrastructure, bus stops and control center among others.

The muilti-million dollar Kiira Vehicle Plant is nearing completion at the Jinja Industrial and Business Park. With a capacity to produce 22 buses a day and an estimated 5,000 buses a year.  The Kiira Vehicle Plant -the largest in the East Central African region is at 81% completion. It is being built by the UPDF engineering brigade under the UPDF business arm - the National Enterprise Corporation (NEC) headed by the amiable General James Mugira and Gen. Sabiiti Muzeyi.

KIIRA MOTORS BOARD OF DIRECTORS INAUGURATED BY MINISTER DR.ELIODA TUMWESIGYE TO MAKE MISSION VEHICLES MADE IN UGANDA A VIABLE -SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS

 

·       Minister says Kiira Motors vehicles made in Uganda should be sold across Africa

·       Tasks Board Members to make Kiira Motors a viable ,successful  business

·       Sets targets  to have company listed on the stock exchange

·       Hails President Museveni for supporting Ugandan scientists and Kiira Motors in particular

A 13 member strong Board of Directors for Uganda’s Automotive Industry flagship Kiira Motors Corporation (KMC) has been inaugurated in Kampala by the Minister of Science ,Technology and Innovation, (MoSTI) Dr. Elioda Tumwesigye.

The Kiira Motors Board of Directors comprises eminent Ugandans who have excelled in  different fields of expertise and they include , Prof. Sandy Stevens Tickodri who is the Executive Chairman, Mr. David Omara Oleke Obong Permanent Secretary MoSTI, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe -the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University ,Mr. Yusuf Kiranda Ag. Makerere university Secretary , Mr. Paul Isaac Musasizi- the CEO KMC, Mr. Basil Ajer- Director at MoSTI, Mr. Ronald Rwankangi , Rev. Sister Mary Grace Akiror, Ms. Aisha Naiga, Eng. Henry Alinaitwe, Ms. Christine Sekyana, Ms. Yudaya Babirye and Dr. Charles Barugahare.

“ I commission you to be the champions of building of an indigenous motor vehicle industry in Uganda while ensuring that you collectively direct the company's affairs, while meeting the interests of the shareholders and other key stakeholders,” Dr. Tumwesigye said.

The minister asserted that the new board the first to be appointed for Automotive Industry Captains Kiira Motors has a duty to ensure that the company’s innovations and products are turned into a viable business that will lead to import substitution , create jobs and wealth for millions of Ugandans across the automotive industry value chain.“

“We look forward to seeing  Ugandan made vehicles driven across the African continent and elsewhere in the world and have Kiira Motors listed on the stock exchange ,” Dr. Tumwesigye stated while appreciating  the visionary leadership of President Yoweri Museveni who has given enormous support to Uganda’s scientists ,innovators and Kiira Motors in particular.

Dr. Tumwesigye added ; “The opportunities to commercialize the innovations at Kiira Motors Corporation have never been brighter than now. These opportunities include- the recent directive by  President Museveni  to stop the importation of buses.”

Other opportunities  are the African Development Bank supported project implemented by KCCA that among others seeks to produce 50 Eco- Buses (Electric Buses) which KMC can provide; the Proposal for KMC to manufacture 1,030 Buses (980 Diesel and 50 Electric) for the TDB (PTA Bank) supported Tondeka Metro Mass Transit Bus service for Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area.   This project has an additional prospect of a long term Technology Transfer and supply chain localization partnership with the Chinese Company Golden Dragon for commercial production of 30,000 buses targeting the regional market and reaching 65% auto parts localization by 2030.

Dr. Tumwesigye commended the Kiira Motors Executive Chairman ,  Pro.Tickodri-Togboa and CEO , Mr. Musasizi who have led a brave and committed team of innovators  who have tirelessly worked to transform the company ‘s  revolutionary innovations and ideas  into commercial products . Kiira Motors ‘ fully electric buses -the Kayoola EVS and the Kayoola Diesel Coach are  now deployed to offer shuttle services for  the staff of Civil Aviation Authority .  Kiira Motors which is championing green mobility technologies in Africa has developed, produced and deployed fully electric buses -the first of a kind in  the   east and Central Africa .

Dr. Tumwesigye told the new Board Members that Kiira Motors Corporation is a State Enterprise established to champion value addition in the nascent Motor Vehicle Industry in Uganda through Technology Transfer, Contract Manufacturing and Supply Chain Localization.

The Shareholders of Kiira Motors Corporation are the government of  Uganda represented by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation with  96% shareholding  and Makerere University which has  4% shares .

Company executives at KMC welcomed the board members who were approved by  Cabinet and said -that building the Indigenous Motor Vehicle Industry is consistent with Uganda’s aspirations and pathways to Vision 2040 which is articulated in the National Development Plan III and the NRM Manifesto 2021 – 2026.

The National Development Plan III allows for the promotion of local manufacturing of motor vehicles, establishment of an efficient, integrated, sustainable, safe and inclusive public transport system and  promotion of  environmentally friendly transport solutions.

Kiira Motors Corporation is currently  leveraging government support and goodwill to cement its position as a commercial vehicle Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) and pioneers of electric mobility in the  East African region and the African content .

Speaking at the same occasion , a jovial  Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Science , Technology and Innovation, Mr. Obong O.O. David ,stated ;” I am confident that the new board is ready to take on the challenges ahead of the commercialization journey for Kiira Motors Corporation. More so, having evolved from a staff and students’ extra curricula activity at Makerere University, into a national program championing Value Addition in the Domestic Automotive Industry for job creation and diversification of the economy in line with NDP III and Vision 2040.”

 

The Executive Chairman ,Prof. Tickodri thanked  the top leadership at the Ministry of Sicence Technology and Innovation led by Dr. Tumwesigye and PS Obong for their technical support and guidance in establishing a solid governance structure at kiira Motors .

 

Prof .Tickodri said the Board's priorities will be guided by the strategic objectives for Kiira Motors Corporation which   are to develop, make and sell Motor Vehicles & Vehicle Components for the African market;  provide design, software development, engineering and testing services to the Global Automotive Industry and Adjacent Industries (Electronics, Aerospace, Agriculture, Medical Devices, Construction etc.).

Other components of Mission Vehicles Made in Uganda ,will include the support for the establishment of efficient, integrated, safe and inclusive public transport systems;  advance development and adoption of Connected, Autonomous, Shared, and Electric (CASE) vehicle technology in line with the automotive industry current and future trends; localize the Automotive Industry Supply Chain for domestic value addition; and provide policy advisory and advocacy for developing a sustainable business environment for building the indigenous motor vehicle industry in Uganda

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

msserwanga@gmail.com