Jinja — The Kayoola E Coach 13M 2025, a flagship electric bus developed by Uganda’s Kiira Motors Corporation, has completed its historic Pearl to Cape Electric Expedition 2025, earning the title “King of the African Highway.”
Traversing 13,784 kilometres across six African nations—Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Botswana, Eswatini, and South Africa—the expedition demonstrated the potential of indigenous heavy-duty electric mobility to transform the continent’s transport landscape.
A Journey of Innovation and Sustainability
Spanning from November 20 to December 29, 2025, the 40-day expedition marked a technological milestone for Africa.
Departing from Kampala and concluding at the Kiira Vehicle Plant in Jinja, the Kayoola E Coach achieved an average energy efficiency of 0.79–0.85 kWh per kilometre, with peak performance recorded on the Francistown–Gaborone segment in Botswana at 0.70 kWh per kilometre.
Powered by a 422 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery, the journey consumed 10,904.48 kWh of electricity while avoiding approximately 6 tonnes of CO₂ emissions, underscoring the environmental benefits of electric mobility.
The expedition also yielded commercial results, with a signed order for 450 units in Johannesburg, South Africa, signalling strong market interest in zero-emission African transport solutions.
Technical and Operational Advantages
The Kayoola E Coach competes strongly with legacy diesel coaches. It offers lower operating costs—approximately $0.15 per kilometre versus $0.50 for diesel—and reduced maintenance requirements, limited largely to mountings and coolant.
Its quieter, smoother ride that minimises noise and vibration, and while it has a shorter range of about 500 km compared to diesel buses, fast-charging capabilities allow the vehicle to refuel in 2–3 hours. Native IoT connectivity further enhances fleet management and operational efficiency.
A Vision Realised Through Collaboration
The expedition’s success was attributed to a broad coalition of stakeholders. Kiira Motors CEO Paul Isaac Musasizi praised government support, including President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and ministries backing industrialisation and local innovation.
Key institutional partners included the National Enterprise Corporation (NEC), Makerere University, and Technology Consults, alongside corporate collaborators MTN Uganda and Britam Uganda, which provided digital infrastructure, telematics, and cross-border payment solutions.
Musasizi highlighted the role of faith and leadership, acknowledging the spiritual guidance of pastors Andrew Kimuli and Deogracious Musooke throughout the journey. “This victory is framed by something greater than metrics,” he said. “It stands as a testament to God’s favour and grace and the power of Ugandan ideas.”
A Milestone for African Industrialisation
The Pearl to Cape Expedition has positioned Uganda at the forefront of the continent’s e-mobility industry, bridging the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) while promoting sustainable transport.
Beyond technical achievements, the journey symbolised Africa’s capacity for innovation, environmental stewardship, and industrial self-reliance.
The successful expedition, coupled with strong commercial orders and cross-border demonstration of capability, signals the start of a new era in African transportation. As Musasizi concluded, “The future of Africa is electric, and together, we are building it.”
Highlights of the Expedition:
• Distance Covered: 13,784 km across 6 countries
• Duration: 40 days
• CO₂ Avoided: 5,942 kg
• Peak Efficiency: 0.70 kWh/km
• Battery: 422 kWh LFP
• Commercial Outcome: 450-unit order in Johannesburg
The Kayoola E Coach 13M 2025 has truly earned its title as the “King of the African Highway”, a symbol of indigenous innovation and a bold statement for a greener, electrified continent.
