Spiro executives demonstrate the operation of a Spiro electric motorcycle to Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja during her visit to the company’s production facility at Namanve Industrial Park
By Our Reporter
The government of Uganda is considering wider adoption of electric motorcycles in public sector operations as part of its broader push toward cleaner transport and industrial development.
The move follows a visit by Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja to the production facility of Spiro located at Namanve Industrial Park earlier this week. The Prime Minister was accompanied by the Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation, Monica Musenero.
During the tour, Nabbanja assessed the progress of the company’s investments, manufacturing capacity and contribution to Uganda’s industrialisation agenda. She said the government welcomes investments that support innovation, employment creation and environmental sustainability.
“The government appreciates the significant investment that Spiro has made in Uganda,” Nabbanja said, adding that such initiatives help advance the country’s goals of job creation and technological development.
She also disclosed that President Yoweri Museveni has encouraged government ministries, departments and agencies to consider adopting electric mobility solutions in their operations as part of efforts to transition to cleaner transport systems.
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Spiro executives demonstrate the operation of a Spiro electric motorcycle to Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja during her visit to the company’s production facility at Namanve Industrial Park
By Our Reporter
The government of Uganda is considering wider adoption of electric motorcycles in public sector operations as part of its broader push toward cleaner transport and industrial development.
The move follows a visit by Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja to the production facility of Spiro located at Namanve Industrial Park earlier this week. The Prime Minister was accompanied by the Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation, Monica Musenero.
During the tour, Nabbanja assessed the progress of the company’s investments, manufacturing capacity and contribution to Uganda’s industrialisation agenda. She said the government welcomes investments that support innovation, employment creation and environmental sustainability.
“The government appreciates the significant investment that Spiro has made in Uganda,” Nabbanja said, adding that such initiatives help advance the country’s goals of job creation and technological development.
She also disclosed that President Yoweri Museveni has encouraged government ministries, departments and agencies to consider adopting electric mobility solutions in their operations as part of efforts to transition to cleaner transport systems.
Push for cleaner transport
The planned uptake of electric motorcycles aligns with Uganda’s National E-Mobility Strategy adopted in 2023. The policy promotes local manufacturing of electric vehicles, development of charging infrastructure and training of skilled technicians to support the sector.
According to Nabbanja, the company has met key commitments it made to the government within 18 months of establishing its operations in the country.
More than 4,000 young Ugandans are currently involved in the electric mobility ecosystem created by Spiro, many of whom have received training in assembling, servicing and maintaining electric motorcycles.
Musenero said the government remains committed to supporting investments in science, technology and innovation as a pathway to economic transformation.
“The Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation will continue to provide a supportive policy environment to ensure such industrial initiatives thrive and contribute to Uganda’s economic growth,” she said.
Reducing import costs and emissions
Uganda continues to face rising costs associated with vehicle and fuel imports. In the 2024/2025 financial year alone, the country spent more than $822 million importing vehicles.
Estimates show that about 787,000 vehicles are imported into the country annually, generating roughly 1.7 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions each year. When fuel imports are factored in, the overall economic burden exceeds $1.2 billion annually.
Government officials believe the expansion of electric motorcycles could help reduce these costs while improving air quality in urban centres.
The rollout of 50,000 electric motorcycles by June 2026 is projected to cut carbon emissions by approximately 175,000 tonnes, while also lowering operating costs for motorcycle riders.
Expansion of infrastructure
Spiro Uganda Deputy Country Head Bruce Mucunguzi said the company is expanding its battery-swapping network to support the growing number of electric motorcycles on the road.
Plans are underway to install 1,250 additional battery swap stations by June, bringing the network to 2,500 stations by the end of the year. This infrastructure will support the deployment of another 50,000 electric motorcycles before the end of 2026.
The Namanve plant currently has the capacity to assemble at least 450 motorcycles per day, reflecting the growing role of local manufacturing in Uganda’s economy.
Under the national e-mobility roadmap, Uganda targets the production of up to 500,000 electric mobility units annually by 2030, including motorcycles, buses, sport utility vehicles and other forms of electric transport.
Officials say partnerships between government and private investors will be key to achieving these ambitions and positioning Uganda as a regional centre for electric mobility innovation.
