Uganda’s state-backed automaker Kiira Motors has launched a 13,000-kilometre electric bus journey across six African countries in a bid to demonstrate the viability of electric mobility on the continent. The 30-day “Made in Uganda Grand Trans-Africa Electric Expedition” spans Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Botswana, Eswatini and South Africa, the company said in project updates shared on social media.
The expedition began a few days ago, and Kiira said the electric coach has already covered about 1,897 kilometres, completing roughly 14.6% of the total route. According to data released by the company, the bus has so far consumed about 1,650 kilowatt-hours of electricity, with average energy use of around 0.87 kWh per kilometre. Avoided carbon dioxide emissions were estimated at 907.5 kg, and no safety incidents have been reported during the journey to date. The vehicle has now reached Mbeya in southern Tanzania.
The expedition uses Kiira’s own 2025 Kayoola E-Coach 13M model, a high-floor, inter-city electric bus designed for long-distance transport. The vehicle is powered by a fully electric drivetrain delivering up to 400 kW of peak power and 5,000 Nm of torque. It is equipped with a 422-kWh battery pack, providing a driving range of up to 500 kilometres per charge, and has a top speed of 100 km/h. The bus can seat up to 64 passengers.
Kiira said the roadshow is intended to demonstrate that electric buses can operate reliably across long distances and varied terrain in Africa, where charging infrastructure remains limited in many regions. The company is using the journey to collect real-world data on energy use, performance and operational safety under diverse road and climate conditions.
The initiative follows earlier long-distance electric mobility trials on the continent. Last year, Kenyan electric motorcycle maker Roam completed a 6,000-kilometre journey from Nairobi to Stellenbosch in South Africa using its Roam Air electric motorcycle, relying entirely on solar-powered charging supported by accompanying vehicles.
