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Tanzania is considering procuring electric vehicles manufactured from Uganda for the Dar es Salaam Bus Rapid Transit (DART) project, Chimp Corps report.
Kiira Motors Corporation (KMC) on May 23 unveiled the all-electric Kayoola EVS Model 2024 at the 2nd Uganda – Tanzania Business Forum held at Johari Rotana Hotel in Dar es Salaam.
According to a joint communique issued after the conference, “Tanzania considered the procurement of Kiira Motors electric buses from Uganda.”
The Kayoola EVS is a fully electric low-floor bus specifically designed for Urban Mass Transportation.
The Kayoola EVS Model 2024 has models ranging from 6 metres (15 seating capacity) – to 18 metres (120 seating capacity).
At full charge, the Kayoola EVS can cover a range between 200 to 300 kilometres – making it capable of seamlessly handling the daily Urban Mass Transportation duty cycle.
Its favourable seating capacity offers great returns for the bus operator while enabling a reduction in congestion on the city roads.
The delegation from Uganda was led by Hon. Dr. Monica Musenero – Uganda’s Minister for Science, Technology, and Innovation – Office of the President, and the leadership of Kiira Motors Corporation
During the forum, the team engaged with diplomats, businesspeople, and key players from both the public and private sectors, aiming to showcase Kiira Motor’s extensive portfolio of products and services.
Technology
Speaking to the press on the forum’s sidelines, Hon. Dr. Musenero remarked, “It is an honour for Uganda to introduce to Tanzania the Kayoola EVS – a manifestation of Uganda’s technological advancement to serve the African market with sustainable mobility solutions. We look forward to fostering synergies between our nations, the East African Community, and Africa as a whole.”
Tanzania represents a significant market for Kiira Motors due to substantial improvements in the country’s public transport system – particularly through the Dar es Salaam Bus Rapid Transit (DART) project. This large-scale infrastructure initiative, developed by the Tanzania National Roads Agency (TANROADS), aims to enhance public transportation with a network of dedicated bus lanes, stations, and terminals.
According to the International Road Assessment Programme (iRAP), the DART system, which began its first phase in 2016 with twenty-nine buses and five terminals, quickly made a significant impact: It reduced a 20km journey from three hours to 45 minutes, thereby decreasing reliance on private cars, cutting emissions, and offering a safe and affordable travel solution for the city’s over eight million residents.
Kiira Motors aims to leverage this development to expand its market reach within East Africa and beyond the region.
KMC’s Chief Executive Officer, Eng. Paul Isaac Musasizi stated that the organisation’s value proposition centres on replacing imported mobility solutions with an African-built electric vehicle platform to improve public transport efficiency.
“This initiative aims to lead the e-mobility revolution and the decarbonisation of transportation in East Africa. By localising the development and deployment of electric vehicles, Kiira Motors Corporation seeks to enhance environmental sustainability and stimulate economic growth within the region,” he said.
He added that the other market product from Kiira Motors Corporation is the 17m/400km and 12m/250km Articulated Kayoola Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) bus with carrying capacities of 120 (30 seated / 90 standing) and 83 (43 seated / 40 standing) respectively.
The Kayoola Coach is an electric or diesel intercity bus with models ranging from 10m (39 PAX) – to 13m (63 PAX).
Furthermore, both countries pledged to continue identifying projects which have potential for mutual benefit to both countries, and jointly mobilise resources to undertake such projects, and also resolve the remaining issues of fifth freedom rights of Uganda Airlines on the Dar-es-Salaam-Zanzibar route.