BOTSWANA: The ground-breaking “Made in Uganda Grand Trans-Africa Electric Expedition” has marked a historic milestone, arriving in Francistown, Botswana, as the team prepares for highly anticipated events in the capital, Gaborone, tomorrow.
The team, piloting the fully electric Kayoola E-Coach, was received at the Cresta Thapama Hotel in Francistown by a high-level diplomatic delegation led by Ambassador Kintu Nyago, the Deputy High Commissioner of Uganda to South Africa.
4,000 Kilometers of Innovation
The expedition has so far covered an impressive 4,000 kilometers since departing Kampala. The convoy crossed over from Zambia into Botswana on Sunday afternoon, continuing a journey that has seen the Ugandan-made vehicle tackle diverse terrains across East and Southern Africa without a single mechanical glitch.
Ambassador Nyago, who traveled to Francistown to personally welcome the crew, hailed the expedition as a powerful symbol of Uganda’s engineering prowess. Speaking at the reception, he emphasized that the vehicle is proof of the continent’s potential.
“Seeing this state-of-the-art electric bus here in Botswana proves that Ugandan innovation is ready to lead Africa’s green revolution. We are thankful to the Office of the President for supporting this great innovation as well as MTN that has kept us connected to the expedition,” Ambassador Nyago remarked.
The ambassador was accompanied by Dr. Judith Atuhaire, a lecturer of public health at Gabarone University of Law and Professional Studies, as well as Dr. Patrick Mulindwa, an Obstetrician at the Riverside Hospital in Francis Town.
Digital Backbone by MTN
A key pillar of the expedition’s success has been the seamless connectivity provided by MTN Uganda. The bus is equipped with advanced telemetry and communication systems that allow for real-time monitoring of performance data, from battery health to terrain adaptation.
Paul Luyima, representing MTN, highlighted the critical role of digitalization in this cross-border mission:
“MTN is proud to power the digital backbone of this historic Expedition. What we are witnessing is more than a journey across borders; it is a demonstration of how connectivity, innovation, and African engineering can unlock new economic possibilities for our continent.”
A Bold Declaration
The expedition is designed to open markets for the Kiira Motors Corporation (KMC) in the Southern African Development Community (SADC). Elias Bwambale, the Expedition Team Lead, noted that the journey serves as a live demonstration of the vehicle’s reliability and comfort.
“This expedition is a bold declaration of Uganda’s technological advancement,” Bwambale stated. “We are showing the world that we have the technology, the durability, and the comfort to compete on the global stage.”
Next Stop: Gaborone
The team is now set to head to Gaborone for a major showcase tomorrow, Wednesday, where they will engage with Botswana’s government officials and transport sector stakeholders. The event will focus on bilateral cooperation in the automotive industry and the adoption of green mobility solutions across the region.
From Gaborone, the Kayoola E-Coach will proceed toward South Africa, aiming for the final destination of Cape Town.
