Kiira Motors Corporation (KMC) has flagged off a 13,000-kilometre trans-African journey of Kayoola Electric Coach on a month-long expedition aimed at opening new markets and elevating Uganda’s technological footprint across the continent.

The mission, which runs from November 20 to December 20, will see the 13-metre e-coach traverse Tanzania, Zambia, Botswana, Eswatini and finally Cape Town, South Africa. The initiative is part of Uganda’s wider push to position itself as a regional hub for innovation, electric mobility and high-value manufacturing.

Unveiled at a dedication ceremony held at Protea Hotel Kololo on November 14, the expedition is designed as a moving exhibition of Ugandan innovation. A 42-member team will travel aboard the 62-seater electric coach, supported by a portable charging system and uninterrupted connectivity provided by MTN, the main sponsor.

Officials say the “Made in Uganda to Southern Africa” tour aims to introduce the Kayoola Electric Coach to potential buyers while showcasing the expanding capabilities of Uganda’s innovation ecosystem. At each stop, the team is expected to hold technical demonstrations, town-hall engagements and policy forums with transport operators, investors, business groups and government leaders.

A key commercial target is securing at least 1,000 orders for the Kayoola bus model while building partnerships in distribution, technology development and investment. The expedition will also promote a broad range of Ugandan-made products, including solar routers, IoT security devices, DC fast chargers, 3D printers and water pumps. Agro-processed items such as coffee, honey, herbal teas, fruit products and tooke flour will also be showcased to potential markets.

Backed by the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation, Uganda’s foreign missions, the Uganda Export Promotion Board, and Uganda Airlines, the initiative aligns with national efforts to boost exports and scale indigenous technologies. It is also expected to help position Ugandan enterprises for stronger trade and industrial cooperation with Southern Africa.

Dr. Monica Musenero, Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation, encouraged the team to carry Uganda’s innovative identity with confidence. 

“There is power in ideas and the wealth God has given us to inherit is in ideas. Wherever you go, carry the pride of the Pearl of Africa and be the best,”she said.

KMC chief executive Paul Isaac Musasizi described the journey as an electric trans-African exhibition of technology and innovation, affirming the corporation’s ambition to amplify the visibility of Uganda’s homegrown solutions.

 “We are taking Made in Uganda to Africa,” he said.

Through live tracking, interactive maps and real-time performance updates, audiences across the continent will be able to follow the journey as the Kayoola coach demonstrates Africa-built electric mobility on the road. If successful, the expedition could mark a decisive step toward expanding Uganda’s industrial reach and positioning its electric mobility sector for continental leadership.

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The Ministry of Works and Transport has ordered an urgent diversion of all traffic following the collapse of a major section of the Karuma–Kamdini road on the Gulu Highway, severely disrupting movement between northern Uganda and Kampala.

In a statement dated November 16, officials confirmed that the affected point lies about one kilometre from the Karuma–Oliwiyo–Pakwach junction on the Kampala side. Continuous heavy rains have weakened the embankment, leading to further deterioration over the past few days.

“More than half of the road carriageway is now affected, rendering the section unsafe for all traffic. The failure continues to widen due to the persistent heavy rains impacting the embankment,” the ministry revealed.

The damaged stretch has since been sealed off to protect road users as engineers prepare emergency works to restore the corridor. 

“For public safety, the section is now hoarded off as we mobilize for emergency restoration works,” said the Permanent Secretary, Bageya Waiswa.

The ministry directed motorists to avoid the area and follow the newly established diversion route.

“All vehicles are advised to divert at the Karuma–Pakwach junction (URA checkpoint) and proceed to Olwiyo Trading Centre, then turn right and continue through Anaka to Gulu; and vice versa for vehicles from the Gulu side heading to Kampala,” the statement read.

The diversion, which covers over 100 kilometres, is expected to increase travel time for both commuter and cargo traffic. The route is one of the busiest corridors linking northern Uganda to the capital, and any extended closure is likely to affect trade, long-distance travel, and the movement of goods to and from South Sudan and the DR Congo.

The ministry pledged to provide timely updates as restoration works progress and apologized for the inconvenience caused to the public.

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National Resistance Movement (NRM) leaders in Kawempe Division have committed to ensuring a peaceful and orderly environment throughout the ongoing by-election campaigns and assured both the public and party leadership that the area will remain free of violence.

The pledge was made during a high-level mobilisation meeting in Kampala, led by NRM Deputy Secretary General Rose Namayanja Nsereko and State House Comptroller Jane Barekye. 

The engagement, part of President Yoweri Museveni’s intensified house-to-house mobilisation drive brought together more than 30,000 party leaders from the five divisions of Kampala.

Namayanja urged NRM leaders to put aside personal differences and prioritise the party’s broader mission.

“Let us not allow intrigue, jealousy, or resentment to divide us. Our focus should be on the common goal, victory for the NRM and continued development for our people,” she said.

She commended the strength of the party’s grassroots structures, noting that this mobilisation effort stands out because it is being driven by local members themselves.

Barekye, on her part, encouraged leaders to champion government poverty-alleviation initiatives, emphasising President Museveni’s call for increased household productivity.

“The President’s message is clear, every household should engage in productive work to eliminate poverty. As NRM leaders, we must take this message door-to-door and ensure that communities embrace government programs,” she said.

Namayanja further applauded Kawempe leaders for reaffirming their commitment to maintaining peace during the by-election period. She warned that the party would not hesitate to take action against any form of indiscipline.

“The NRM does not tolerate any form of chaos or disorder. Anyone who attempts to destabilise peace in our communities will face serious consequences,” she cautioned.

The leaders’ commitment comes as political activities intensify across Kampala, with the party positioning itself to secure victory while preserving stability in Kawempe Division.

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Uganda will host the 2025 Africa Industrialization Week (AIW 2025) from November 17 to 21, 2025, with all major sessions scheduled to take place at Speke Resort Munyonyo, the African Union (AU) has confirmed.

This year’s edition will run under the theme “Transforming Africa’s Economy through Sustainable Industrialization, Regional Integration and Innovation.”

The announcement, made on Friday, reaffirms Africa’s push to shift from exporting raw materials to building strong value-addition industries capable of creating jobs, enhancing skills, and increasing economic prosperity across the continent.

Africa currently supplies more than 70 percent of the world’s mined cobalt, largely from Central African countries. The AU says this should be a springboard for developing homegrown processing, manufacturing, and technological value chains instead of exporting the mineral in its raw form.

A promotional AU message captures this vision vividly: “Africa must build the technology value chains that cobalt powers.” The visual depicts hands trading cobalt for smartphones, symbolizing the continent’s ambition to anchor industrial growth on its rich mineral base and advance the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

AIW 2025 is being organized by the Government of Uganda in collaboration with the AU Commission, UNIDO, UNECA, AUDA-NEPAD, and the Afro-Champions Initiative. 

The week-long gathering will focus on closing gaps between policy, financing, and innovation. It will also spotlight scalable industrialization models, harmonize efforts among AU Member States and Regional Economic Communities (RECs), and introduce platforms for youth start-ups and women-led enterprises to connect with investors.

The program will include high-level discussions marking Africa Industrialization Day on November 20, expert panels on emerging industrial priorities, and exhibitions showcasing value-added products and new technologies.

Organizers expect the event to generate key outcomes such as stronger intra-African trade, actionable policy guidance for expanding industrial parks and production hubs, and renewed commitments under the Action Plan for Accelerated Industrial Development of Africa (AIDA) and IDDA III.

With Africa’s manufacturing output still contributing only about 10 percent to the continent’s GDP, significantly below global averages, the 2025 gathering at Speke Resort Munyonyo is being positioned as a pivotal moment to accelerate industrial diversification, especially as the global green transition unlocks greater demand for critical minerals.

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The African Union has honoured troops of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces’ Battle Group XLI under the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia. 

The troops were decorated with medals and awarded certificates in recognition of their distinguished service during their peacekeeping tour of duty in Somalia.

At the same function, the outgoing contingent handed over responsibilities to Battle Group XLV.

On behalf of the Force Commander, Lt Gen Sam Kavuma, the Sector One Commander, Brig Gen Joseph Musoke Ssemwanga, praised Col Michael Hyeroba and his troops for their commitment throughout offensive and defensive operations that weakened Al-Shabaab activity in the Barawe and Baledamin sub-sectors.

Battle Group XLI ends its tour of duty with key achievements such as securing Barawe Airport, restricting Al-Shabaab’s freedom of movement, supporting and mentoring Somali National Army forces, and successful key leaders engagements that contribute to the wider relative calm in the sub-sectors.

He expressed confidence in the incoming commander, Col Justus Musenene of Battle Group XLV and encouraged him to rely on his team, maintain high morale and remain adaptable as he takes charge of operations.

Col Hyeroba thanked the UPDF leadership for trusting him with the command of Battle Group XLI. He appreciated Brig Gen Ssemwanga’s guidance, noting that it contributed to the successes registered during the mission.

Col Musenene affirmed his troops’ readiness to build on the achievements of their predecessors, saying the pre-mission training had prepared them to take on the new responsibilities.

The awarded soldiers represented the wider Battle Group, whose other troops had been decorated earlier in honour of their service and sacrifice in promoting stability in Somalia.

The event was attended by the incoming contingent commander Brig Gen Jackson Kayanja, Sector One Deputy Commander Col Francis Aragamoi, Contingent Administration Officer Col John Mark Ssemanda, Battle Group XLII Commander Col Sam Kosia Kuteesa, asset commanders, heads of departments, senior officers, junior officers and militants under Sector One.

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