{"id":3822,"date":"2021-08-10T10:44:59","date_gmt":"2021-08-10T10:44:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ugandaupdatenews.com\/?p=3822"},"modified":"2021-08-11T12:58:02","modified_gmt":"2021-08-11T12:58:02","slug":"ugandans-should-be-ready-for-the-immense-economic-opportunities-when-the-construction-of-kiira-vehicle-plant-is-completed-at-the-end-of-this-year","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/ugandans-should-be-ready-for-the-immense-economic-opportunities-when-the-construction-of-kiira-vehicle-plant-is-completed-at-the-end-of-this-year\/","title":{"rendered":"UGANDANS SHOULD BE READY FOR THE IMMENSE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES WHEN THE CONSTRUCTION OF KIIRA VEHICLE PLANT IS COMPLETED AT THE END OF THIS YEAR"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

BY MOSES SSERWANGA<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The construction of Uganda\u2019s first car production facilities \u2013 the Kiira Vehicle Plant -the largest in the East and Central Africa region is set to be completed by December this year -providing immense economic opportunities across the country\u2019s nascent Automotive Industry value chain . But are Ugandans prepared and ready to cash in ?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new Minister of Science Technology and Innovation, Office of the President,\u00a0 Dr. Monica Musenero \u00a0\u00a0who made her maiden \u00a0tour of \u00a0the multi- billion Kiira Vehicle Plant \u00a0at the Jinja Industrial and Business park has since rallied Ugandans to position themselves and supply vehicle parts to the facility that will produce 22 buses per day and 5,000 a year .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 Dr. Musenero  has observed and rightly so -that the motor vehicle market is growing steadily with regional vehicle sales anticipated to reach over 630,000 vehicles annually for EAC and 10 million vehicles annually on the African Continent by 2030.   This trajectory therefore , presents  an- unprecedented \u2013 untapped opportunity  for domestic industrialization .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Motor Vehicles on average are made of an estimated 30,000 different parts -many of which can easily be made by Ugandans locally under -the government\u2019s local content participation and  Buy Uganda ,Build Uganda (BUBU) -national economic and development policies.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Apart from creating  well over -100,000 jobs directly and indirectly in the medium term -once the vehicle-production lines are opened at the plant early next year- Ugandans should be supported to set up cottage industries to produce car parts while adding value to the vast minerals that are abundant across the country .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It should be noted that Uganda is already endowed with vast amounts of  minerals, which can be used for vehicle parts manufacturing including iron ore for automotive steel; silica sand for glass; rare earth elements for glass glazing, catalytic converters, batteries  and electronics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other minerals include graphite for brake pads; oil for plastics; cobalt and lithium for batteries; kaolin, marble and vermiculite for paint; tungsten, columbite, tantalite, chromite and titanium for metal alloys; copper for auto electric conductors and motors, among others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many of the country\u2019s youth can be trained and re-skilled to meaningfully participate and  directly benefit (cash in) from  \u2013 the localization of the lucrative  Uganda Automotive Industry- parts supply chain. This is how government\u2019s vision- led by President Yoweri Museveni to build Uganda\u2019s  first -ever indigenous Motor Vehicle Industry for  jobs and wealth creation will take root .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Government has already clearly defined its economic growth pathway  under its blue print – the NDPIII where it is stated that a sustainable and successful industrialization of Uganda -will by large measure be hinged on the development of key industrial sectors including the automotive industry. This will lead to import substitution by promoting   local manufacturing and mineral-based industries .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The promotion of local manufacturing of motor vehicles while also championing the establishment of an efficient, integrated, sustainable, safe and inclusive public transport system where environmentally friendly transport solutions.- with Kiira Motors taking the lead can longer be ignored .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And there are already positive indicators to show -that the private sector has positively taken note of the opportunity and is moving very fast to seize it .  Private players including bankers, insurance and other finance  companies , such as  RentCo Africa, UBA Bank, Absa, DFCU Bank, Stanbic Bank, Mercantile Bank, TOTAL Uganda, VIVO Energy, MOGAS, Hardware World, Telecoms -Airtel and MTN have expressed interest to partner with Kiira Motors in development of the local vehicle production industry .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tondeka Metro  Co. has offered to be Kiira Motors first client -placing an unprecedent-offtake order to have 1,030 buses 50 of which will be fully electric \u2013 to be built at the -Kiira Vehicle Plant early next year .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This one deal alone ,if well managed is set to transform Uganda\u2019s public transport system \u2013 in a manner that has not been witnessed here before .  And the benefits are huge .  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Under the deal it has been revealed , Kiira Motors Corporation will working with Tondeka Metro, RentCo Africa and Golden Dragon as the Technology Partner to produce 30,000 Buses at the Kiira Vehicle Plant for the East Africa Regional Market, with 65% Parts and Components localized by 2030.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kiira Motors and its  partners will deploy the 1,030 Buses by mid-2022. This local joint venture  is aimed at modernizing public transport in the Urban Centers across  Uganda and beyond- while building the Indigenous Motor Vehicle Industry through Technology Transfer and Supply Chain Localization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Mass Transit Bus System (MTBS) will operate in the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area within the radius of 25-30km along gazette routes and is estimated to move approximately 600,000 people per day while adhering to the Ministry of Health guidelines on COVID-19 and 1,500,000 people per day on a business-as-usual scenario. Payments for tickets will be made through an end-to-end cashless ticketing system integrated with Mobile Money (Airtel Money, MTN Mobile Money and Afrimoney), Visa, Mastercard and Union Pay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the private sector is shifting ground to local manufacturing and providing home grown solutions for local problems , the ordinary Ugandan especially those in the transport industry -i.e the bus driver , the tax drivers , the touts , conductors , the mechanics and vehicle parts dealers should be mobilized in a concerted government effort -to be part of Uganda\u2019s Automotive Industry revolution .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The writer is a media , communications, stakeholder engagements consultant and Advocate of the High  Court of Uganda .<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

msserwanga@gmail.com<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

BY MOSES SSERWANGA The construction of Uganda\u2019s first car production facilities \u2013 the Kiira Vehicle Plant -the largest in the<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":3824,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[130,168],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3822","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-development","category-national-development"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/IMG-20210804-WA0191.jpg","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":4723,"url":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/kiira-motors-embarks-on-skilling-ugandans-ahead-of-mass-commercial-production-of-vehicles-next-year\/","url_meta":{"origin":3822,"position":0},"title":"KIIRA MOTORS EMBARKS ON SKILLING UGANDANS AHEAD OF MASS COMMERCIAL PRODUCTION OF VEHICLES NEXT YEAR","author":"MOSES SSERWANGA","date":"December 4, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Uganda\u2019 s Automotive Industry flagship, Kiira Motors Corporation (KMC) has embarked on a massive skilling program for Ugandans -ahead of mass\u00a0 commercial production of vehicles at their Vehicle Plant at the Jinja Industrial and Business Park next year . At least 50\u00a0 new KMC staff are now undergoing an intensive\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "National Development"","block_context":{"text":"National Development","link":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/category\/national-development\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/kmc-4.jpg","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/kmc-4.jpg 1x, https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/kmc-4.jpg 1.5x, https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/kmc-4.jpg 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2115,"url":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/mps-have-commended-kiira-motors-and-updf-for-progress-made-to-complete-the-vehicle-plant-construction-on-time\/","url_meta":{"origin":3822,"position":1},"title":"MPS HAVE COMMENDED KIIRA MOTORS AND UPDF FOR PROGRESS MADE TO COMPLETE THE VEHICLE PLANT CONSTRUCTION ON TIME","author":"MOSES SSERWANGA","date":"October 22, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Members of the \u00a0Parliamentary Committee on \u00a0Science and \u00a0Technology led by their chairman, Mr. Fred Bwino Kyakulaga\u00a0have\u00a0 applauded the management of Kiira Motors Corporation and the UPDF Engineering Brigade working through National Enterprise Corporation NEC,for the high quality construction \u00a0work and progress made at the Kiira Vehicle Plant Site in\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "National News"","block_context":{"text":"National News","link":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/category\/national-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/tumwesigye.jpg","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/tumwesigye.jpg 1x, https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/tumwesigye.jpg 1.5x, https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/tumwesigye.jpg 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1151,"url":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/speaker-kadaga-visits-kiira-vehicles-plant-in-kayoola-electric-bus-pledges-full-support\/","url_meta":{"origin":3822,"position":2},"title":"SPEAKER KADAGA VISITS KIIRA VEHICLES PLANT IN KAYOOLA ELECTRIC BUS PLEDGES FULL SUPPORT","author":"MOSES SSERWANGA","date":"March 16, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"The commercialization of Kiira electric vehicles will lead to import substitution, create jobs, and contribute to national economic growth, the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Rebecca Alitwara Kagada has said. Rt. Hon. Kagada said the government should, therefore, prioritise the completion of the Kiira Vehicles Plant being constructed at the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Innovation"","block_context":{"text":"Innovation","link":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/category\/innovation\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":3782,"url":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/minister-dr-musenero-tours-kiira-vehicle-plant-as-the-company-is-set-to-produce-1030-tondeka-buses\/","url_meta":{"origin":3822,"position":3},"title":"MINISTER DR.MUSENERO TOURS KIIRA VEHICLE PLANT AS THE COMPANY IS SET TO PRODUCE 1,030 TONDEKA BUSES","author":"MOSES SSERWANGA","date":"August 5, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"BY MOSES SSERWANGA The\u00a0 new Minister of Science Technology and Innovation, Office of the President,\u00a0 Dr. Monica Musenero \u00a0\u00a0has made her maiden \u00a0tour of \u00a0the multi-million Kiira Vehicle Plant which will be completed at the end of the year with -Kiira Motors set to produce 1,030 \u00a0for the Tondeka \u00a0Mass\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Business"","block_context":{"text":"Business","link":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/category\/business\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/IMG-20210804-WA0274.jpg","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/IMG-20210804-WA0274.jpg 1x, https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/IMG-20210804-WA0274.jpg 1.5x, https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/IMG-20210804-WA0274.jpg 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1745,"url":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/nema-commends-kiira-motors-for-environment-compliance-at-the-kiira-vehicles-plant-site-in-jinja\/","url_meta":{"origin":3822,"position":4},"title":"NEMA COMMENDS KIIRA MOTORS FOR ENVIRONMENT COMPLIANCE AT THE KIIRA VEHICLES PLANT SITE IN JINJA","author":"MOSES SSERWANGA","date":"August 27, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"By Our Special Correspondent The Board of Directors of\u00a0 the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA)\u00a0 led by Dr\u00a0 Priscilla Nyadoi have commended the \u00a0\u00a0Kiira Motors team\u00a0 for adhering to the \u00a0environment set conditions and ESIA guidelines at the Kiira Vehicles Plant site under construction by the UPDF -National Enterprise Corporation\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Environment"","block_context":{"text":"Environment","link":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/category\/environment\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/kmc-nema.jpg","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/kmc-nema.jpg 1x, https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/kmc-nema.jpg 1.5x, https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/kmc-nema.jpg 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":9591,"url":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/president-museveni-assures-kiira-motors-corporation-that-government-will-buy-the-electric-buses-produced-at-the-kiira-vehicle-plant-in-jinja\/","url_meta":{"origin":3822,"position":5},"title":"President Museveni Assures Kiira Motors Corporation That Government Will Buy The \u00a0Electric Buses Produced At The Kiira Vehicle Plant In Jinja","author":"MOSES SSERWANGA","date":"August 5, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"President Yoweri Museveni has reiterated his determination to superintend over Uganda\u2019s industrialization agenda by once again \u00a0making a public pledge that government will take the lead in buying electric buses produced by Uganda\u2019s automaker Kiira Motors Corporation (KMC). \u201c If you make electric buses , the government will buy them\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Automotive industry"","block_context":{"text":"Automotive industry","link":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/category\/automotive-industry\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/muse.jpeg","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/muse.jpeg 1x, https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/muse.jpeg 1.5x, https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/muse.jpeg 2x, https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/muse.jpeg 3x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pc0aOV-ZE","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3822","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3822"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3822\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3829,"href":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3822\/revisions\/3829"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3824"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3822"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3822"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/prowebinhost.com\/anzu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3822"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}