The strategy when fully implemented will, by 2040, see Uganda’s e-mobility sector contribute 12.5 percent to gross domestic product, create more than 500,000 jobs, locate 65 percent of the e-mobility value chain, and reduce transport-related emissions by more than 25 percent. The investment, according to government will therefore, give a return of at least 15million US dollar (Shs55.3 trillion) in annual revenues of which at least will be generated from income from jobs created, and the reduction of transport-based emissions. In details contained in the National e-Mobility Strategy, which is implemented by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation under the Inter-ministerial Committee on e-Mobility chaired by Dr Monica Musenero, government indicates that the strategy will be implemented over five financial years from June 2023 to June 2028.
“The strategy has a bold target of Uganda fully transitioned to e-mobility in public transport and motorcycles by 2030 and passenger vehicle sales by 2040,” Dr Musenero indicates, by noting that this will be achieved by creating a robust, self-sustaining and competitive e-mobility ecosystem that will ensure supply chain localization, innovation, equity and inclusion, integration, adaptability , information and public awareness.
It is also intended to catalyze the creation of added value by promoting domestic manufacturing and value chain localization, create a sustainable and reliable public transport system, and ultimately reduce transport-based carbon emissions by over 25 percent by 2040 leading to more productive, cleaner, and healthier cities. The strategy focuses on improving domestic manufacturing and supply of electric vehicles through increased local manufacturing and supply of electric buses, motorcycles, and vehicles with associated parts, components and systems. It also seeks to promote local manufacturing of electric vehicle batteries and battery energy storage systems, electrify public transport systems, establish electric vehicle charging infrastructure and develop domestic skills and capabilities for the e-mobility value chain.
Other objectives include increase uptake of electric vehicles by the electrification of government’s fleet and developing e-mobility standards, regulations, guidelines, and a code of practice for the e-mobility industry. The strategy comes at a time when several countries across the globe are shifting their mobility to green energy, which is expected to grow the global market associated with e-mobility from 280billion US dollar in 2021 to $1.5 trillion by 2028 at a compound annual growth rate of 27.2 percent. In Uganda, according to the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, road transport accounts for 95 percent of passenger traffic and 96.5 percent of freight cargo, which contributes more than 10 percent of greenhouse emissions.
In notes published in the National e-Mobility Strategy, Dr Musenero noted that Uganda’s heavy reliance on imported near-obsolete petrol and diesel engine-powered vehicles is not only “a huge drain to the economy but poses a significant risk to our socioeconomic transformation, public health, and the environment with Kampala ranked second most polluted city in Africa“.
Partnership with the private sector
Under the National e-Mobility Strategy, government is also working with the private sector and other stakeholders to establish at least 3,500 e-mobility public charging stations by 2040. The stations will be fitted with more than 10,000 fast chargers – with a charger in every 50-kilometre radius. Government also plans to install e-charging infrastructure at all public offices and public spaces by 2030, support the private sector including fuel stations to establish charging infrastructure, increase electricity generation, grid access, and reliability, and develop standards, guidelines, and regulations for charging infrastructure. The National e-Mobility Strategy indicates that use of electric vehicles is currently limited because of the high costs involved and difficulties in infrastructure development.
It costs about $2,500 (Shs9.2m) to install a slow charger electric charging station, and about $35,800 (Shs132.2m) for a fast charger as well as miscellaneous fees such as permits and regulations. Uptake of electric vehicles has increased, with data from Uganda Revenue Authority indicating that a total of 1,694 e-units have so far been imported into Uganda, but of which, only 17 vehicles and 910 motorcycles were imported between 2022 and the first four months of 2024, are 100 percent electric. The Strategy indicates that several companies have been exploring the establishment of electric charging infrastructure in different parts of the country, among which include Total Energies, which, in collaboration with Motorcare, is leveraging its fuel-filling station network to establish charging stations in different parts of the country.
