KAMPALA – Kiira Motors Corporation (KMC) is establishing different service centres across the country as it plans to launch its Kayoola EV buses on the Ugandan market.
Mr Allan Muhumuza, the KMC business development manager, says the service centres across the country are meant to sort out any technical issues encountered by the electric buses in case of emergencies.
“When stuck somewhere upcountry, you won’t have to call someone in Kampala to help you out. And since the buses are brand new, they come with a warranty; so you won’t spend a lot in terms of minor repairs,” he says.
Kiira Motors Corporation signed a Memorandum of Understanding with a Chinese automobile company to manufacture electric buses. In December 2019, the company conducted a successful 130Km road test for its model city bus from Nakasongola to Kampala.
Mr Muhumuza says they also want to venture into trucks and other utility vehicles.
He adds that they have already started taking orders.
“Prices are determined on a case by case basis because buses are unique to the need of the buyer. Some may want a luxury bus … all I can say is the price will be competitive on the market,” he said.
With the Kayoola Electric Buses, KMC hopes to create 2,000 direct jobs and about 12,000 direct jobs.
Meanwhile, the construction of the Kiira Vehicle Assembling plant at Kagogwa village, Kakira Town Council in Jinja district handled by the National Enterprises Corporation, the UPDF’s business wing has taken shape.
Last week, the NEC Management Committee led by the Deputy Managing Director, Brig. Moses Ddiba Ssentongo, visited the construction site and appreciated the efforts by the workers on site.
“Eng Brian Buhanda who is heading the workers on-site assured the committee that the project will be executed on time,” a statement from NEC said.
“He informed the committee that the project was supposed to run for 30 calendar months which ends in June next year because it was based on the financial flow but he is now confident that by the end of this year, he will have executed the project.”
