By January 2030, petrol-powered motorcycles could be a thing of the past in Kampala if the government successfully implements its ambitious transition to electric mobility.
The plan, driven by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, aims to promote local manufacturing, reduce urban pollution, and position Uganda as a regional hub for electric vehicle innovation.
Speaking in an interview, the Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation, Monica Musenero, said the government intends to phase out fuel-powered motorcycles—commonly used as boda-bodas—starting with restrictions in the Kampala city centre.
“By 2030, there shouldn’t be any fuel motorbikes in the Kampala city centre; we hope to achieve this even earlier,” she said.
Musenero added that the government is already discouraging the importation of petrol motorcycles and plans to impose higher taxes on them, while prioritising local production of electric alternatives.
“Our strategy is not to import electric motorcycles but to manufacture them locally,” she emphasised.
Building a Local E-Mobility Industry
The government is also exploring ways to convert existing petrol motorcycles into electric ones, easing the transition for thousands of boda-boda riders who depend on the sector for their livelihoods.
Officials say Uganda aims to produce up to 500,000 electric mobility units annually by 2030, including motorcycles, buses, bicycles and tricycles.
Production capacity is already expanding. According to Musenero, Uganda’s manufacturing capacity has grown from about 10,000 motorcycles annually to more than 50,000.
Private sector players such as Spiro Uganda, Gogo and Zembo are ramping up investment in assembly plants and battery-swapping infrastructure.
Taxes, Costs and the Shift from Fuel
The transition is also being driven by fiscal policy. Under the proposed Shs78.2 trillion budget for FY2026/27, fuel prices are expected to rise by about Shs200 per litre as government seeks to increase revenue.
Electric motorcycles are already becoming competitive in price, retailing at around Shs4 million compared to Shs5–6 million for petrol bikes, depending on the model.
Operational costs also favour electric options. While fuel prices continue to fluctuate, electric bikes can be charged at relatively predictable rates, making them more affordable in the long term for riders.
Industry Response and Expansion
According to Spiro’s deputy country head, Bruce Mucunguzi, the company is expanding both production and charging infrastructure across the country.
Spiro currently produces about 450 motorcycles daily and operates hundreds of service centres and battery swap stations nationwide, with plans to significantly expand this network.
“The next level of growth is to increase local content—sourcing materials from Uganda and deepening manufacturing,” Mucunguzi said.
He added that the company is also undertaking a large-scale transition programme targeting the replacement of up to 50,000 petrol motorcycles, a move expected to significantly reduce carbon emissions.
Jobs and Skills Development
The shift to electric mobility is also creating new employment opportunities, particularly for young people.
Thousands of Ugandans are being trained in assembling, maintaining and repairing electric motorcycles, contributing to a growing technology-driven workforce.
At Spiro’s Namanve plant, engineers assemble motorcycles from scratch, incorporating digital tracking systems and quality control processes.
“Our products are made by Ugandans for Ugandans,” said engineer William Kata, noting that many recruits are drawn from vocational institutions and universities.
The sector is also seeing increased participation of women in engineering roles. Production engineer Devine Ariyu said female representation in the workforce has risen significantly in the past year.
“At first it was challenging, but now I can assemble a full bike and carry out quality checks,” she said.
Environmental and Health Benefits
The push for electric mobility comes amid growing concern over air pollution in urban areas.
Research by the Makerere University School of Public Health links more than 7,000 deaths in Kampala over the past four years to air pollution, underscoring the urgency of cleaner transport solutions.
With investments in local manufacturing, infrastructure and policy reforms, Uganda is laying the groundwork for a cleaner, more sustainable transport system.
If successful, the transition could not only transform urban mobility but also position the country as a leader in electric mobility innovation across the region.
