Uganda has taken another major step toward sustainable transportation with the commissioning of the country’s first electric fast-charging station at Makerere University in Kampala.
The facility was officially launched on March 13, 2026 by Monica Musenero Masanza, Uganda’s Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, marking a key milestone in the country’s growing e-mobility agenda.
Installed at the Senate Building parking lot, the station is a DC Fast Charger C6-180 developed in collaboration with Kiira Motors Corporation (KMC). The charger is designed to power electric vehicles quickly and efficiently, supporting Uganda’s shift away from fossil fuels toward cleaner energy solutions.
Speaking during the commissioning ceremony, Dr. Musenero described the installation as the continuation of a journey that began more than a decade ago when Makerere researchers unveiled the Kiira EV, Uganda’s first electric vehicle prototype.
“This infrastructure is the physical manifestation of a journey that began on this very hill nearly two decades ago,” she said.
The minister noted that the early work done by Makerere engineers challenged global skepticism about Africa’s ability to innovate in the automotive technology sector.
The fast-charging station aligns with Uganda’s National E-Mobility Strategy, which aims to localize 65% of the e-mobility value chain by 2040 and create more than 500,000 green jobs.
Dr. Musenero said the strategy is designed to reduce Uganda’s dependence on imported fossil fuels while strengthening the local manufacturing ecosystem.
“We are transforming Uganda into a net source of e-mobility solutions,” she said, highlighting opportunities for local production of vehicle components and charging technologies.
Makerere at the center of innovation
The Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, Barnabas Nawangwe, described the launch as a multi-faceted achievement that demonstrates the university’s commitment to innovation and inclusive mobility.
The development also builds on earlier efforts to integrate locally manufactured transport solutions into the university’s operations.
In September 2025, Yoweri Museveni commissioned the Kiira Vehicle Plant in Jinja and handed over three buses manufactured by Kiira Motors Corporation to Makerere University. The fleet included two Kayoola diesel coaches and one electric Kayoola EVS bus, aimed at improving mobility for staff and students, including those with disabilities.
Training the next generation of EV engineers
The event also highlighted the critical role of academia in advancing Uganda’s electric mobility sector.
Through the E-Mobility Skilling Programme at Makerere’s Innovation Pod (Mak-UniPod), students are being trained to develop electric vehicle technologies and tackle complex engineering challenges related to modern urban transportation.
Researchers are also exploring ways to utilize Uganda’s lithium and cobalt resources for battery production, potentially strengthening the country’s position in the global electric vehicle supply chain.
Powered by clean energy
One of the most notable aspects of the new charging station is its reliance on Uganda’s renewable energy grid, which is powered largely by hydroelectric dams.
With over 95% of Uganda’s electricity generated from hydropower, every electric vehicle charged at the station effectively runs on clean energy.
“We are using our own water to power our own vehicles, keeping our wealth within our economy rather than exporting it to purchase foreign oil,” Dr. Musenero noted.
Driving Uganda’s green future
The launch drew senior university leaders, government officials, engineers, and private sector partners, including Paul Isaac Musasizi, the Chief Executive Officer of Kiira Motors Corporation.
As Uganda expands its charging infrastructure, the new station is expected to support a growing fleet of electric vehicles while strengthening the country’s ambition to become a regional leader in e-mobility innovation.
Officials say the project not only powers vehicles but also signals a broader national commitment to sustainable transport, technological advancement, and home-grown innovation.
