Uganda’s shift towards cleaner and more affordable public transport is gaining momentum as Kira Motors Ltd moves closer to expanding its electric bus services beyond the Kampala-Ntinda corridor.
The government-backed electric buses have already started operating between Kampala and Ntinda, offering commuters an alternative to conventional taxis while introducing a quieter and more environmentally friendly mode of transport.
The Kampala-Ntinda journey costs Shs1,500 on the E-Bus Xpress, which is Shs500 cheaper than the Shs2,000 commonly charged by commuter taxis along the same route. Passengers can make payments conveniently through mobile money.
The service has attracted considerable interest from commuters, with the buses reportedly filling to capacity during peak travel periods. An observation by a news team using the service on Thursday evening found the bus packed with passengers travelling between Ntinda and Kampala.
Unlike conventional public transport vehicles that rely on petrol or diesel, the buses are fully electric, forming part of efforts to introduce cleaner transport technologies and reduce dependence on fossil fuels in Uganda’s urban transport sector.
Following the encouraging response recorded on the Kampala-Ntinda route, Kira Motors is now reportedly preparing to deploy additional electric buses along the Kampala-Entebbe corridor, a major route connecting the capital to Entebbe.
The company is also in the final stages of preparations to introduce electric buses on the Kampala-Namugongo route, potentially giving more commuters access to a cheaper and cleaner public transport option.
The planned expansion marks another step in Uganda’s push to modernise public transportation, with the growing use of electric buses expected to reshape urban commuting while offering passengers more affordable travel options.
