President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni officially commissioned the Kiira Vehicle Plant in Jinja on Friday, September 26, 2025, marking a monumental day for Uganda in terms of industrialisation.
The event cemented the nation’s position as a regional leader in mobility innovation and industrialisation, with President Museveni praising the project as irrefutable proof of Uganda’s capacity to realise its economic potential.
The function was attended by, among others, Hon. Dr. Monica Musenero, the Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation Information, Hon. Matia Kasaija, the Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Development, Dr. Michael Atingi-Ego, the Governor, Bank of Uganda, and Mr. Isaac Paul Musaasizi, the Chief Executive Officer of Kiira Motors Corporation.
Speaking at the function, President Museveni, who experienced Kiira Motors‘ flagship product, the Kayoola EV Bus, said, “Uganda’s economy is currently growing at 7% and is expected to exceed 10% once our oil production begins. We have a clear vision for what will transform our society. We also plan to process our rich iron ore reserves into high-quality steel, which will significantly reduce our dependence on steel imports that currently cost over US$900 million annually.”
Kiira Motors as Engine of Economic Transformation
The commissioning of the Kiira Vehicle Plant aligns perfectly with President Museveni’s vision for transforming Uganda from a raw material exporter to an industrialised, self-sustaining economy.
The President highlighted the plant’s significance as a flagship project, celebrating the achievement of Kiira Motors, Makerere University, and the National Enterprise Corporation for breaking down “the barriers of doubt and demonstrating that we can indeed realise our potential.”
Linking Mobility to Mineral Wealth
The success of the Kiira Vehicle Plant is inadvertently linked to Uganda’s rich mineral endowments.
President Museveni detailed a strategic plan to leverage these resources to support the domestic manufacturing sector, directly addressing the nation’s import bill through:
Steel Self-Sufficiency
He emphasised that Uganda plans to process its extensive iron ore reserves (located in Kabale and Butogota) into high-quality steel. This domestic production is expected to significantly reduce the nation’s dependence on steel imports, which currently cost the country over US$900 million annually.
The Electric Vehicle Advantage
The global demand for electric vehicles perfectly positions Uganda, which has substantial deposits of lithium in regions like Ntungamo.
The growth of the electric mobility sector, spearheaded by Kiira Motors, creates a ready domestic market for these critical minerals, driving investment into local mining and processing.
By successfully commissioning the Kiira Motors Plant, President Museveni did not just launch a factory; he is championing an industrial revolution that fuses domestic manufacturing with strategic mineral processing, ensuring that Uganda’s economic growth is both sustainable and homegrown.