Uganda’s locally manufactured Kayoola E-Coach has returned home after completing a historic 13,700-kilometre electric journey across six African countries, marking a landmark moment for Africa’s electric mobility ambitions.
“We are now in Kampala. Covering over 13,000km, the 13m Electric coach has now returned home. This is a proof of concept, the future is built,” said Kiira Motors on X Monday evening.
Built by Kiira Motors Corporation, the Kayoola E-Coach 13M (2025 model) set off from Namboole Stadium on November 20 and traversed Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Botswana, Eswatini and South Africa, before completing the return leg to Kampala on December 28.
“Africa has experienced a Miracle of Technological Advancement and Grace, one only God could Author. With hearts overflowing with joy and heads bowed with gratitude, we announce the triumphant completion of the Made in Uganda Pearl to Cape Electric Expedition 2025,” said Paul Isaac Musasizi, Founding Chief Executive Officer of Kiira Motors Corporation.
Dubbed the “Pearl to Cape Electric Expedition 2025,” the journey connected the Source of the Nile to the Cape of Good Hope, testing the endurance, efficiency and reliability of a Made-in-Uganda electric bus over diverse terrain and infrastructure.
“This expedition has proven that Africa can design, build and operate heavy-duty electric vehicles capable of long-distance travel,” said Musasizi, adding, “The Kayoola E-Coach has demonstrated performance, resilience and efficiency under real African conditions.”
Tested Across the Continent
Over the course of the expedition, the electric bus covered more than 13,700 kilometres, consuming approximately 9,600 kilowatt-hours of energy at an average efficiency of 0.79 kWh per kilometre, while avoiding an estimated 5.8 tonnes of carbon emissions.
The journey doubled as a technical validation exercise, with engineers monitoring battery performance, energy consumption and vehicle durability across varying climates, altitudes and road networks.
“It’s OFFICIAL, the Kayoola E‑Coach 13M 2025 is the King of the African Highway…13,700 Kilometres, C02 emissions avoided – 5,942 Kg, traversed 6 African Nations and 39 days later, the expeditioners are back HOME!!!”
The expedition was supported by the Government of Uganda as part of its industrialisation and climate-friendly transport agenda. President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has previously described Kiira Motors as a strategic national project under the “Made in Uganda” programme.
Kiira Motors acknowledged the role of the National Enterprise Corporation (NEC) in incubating the company and developing the Kiira Vehicle Plant in Jinja, as well as Makerere University, where the original Kiira electric vehicle concept was developed.
Private sector partners, including MTN Uganda, provided connectivity, vehicle telematics and cross-border digital payments, enabling real-time monitoring and seamless operations along the route.
Kiira Motors said the expedition was not only a technical achievement but also a symbol of Africa’s capacity to drive its own green transition.
By completing the journey without reliance on fossil fuels, the Kayoola E-Coach has strengthened the case for electric public transport as a practical solution for Africa’s cities and inter-city routes. “The future of African mobility is electric,” Musasizi said. “And this journey shows that Africa is ready to lead.”
