Uganda Unveils Its First Public EV Charging Station

In a historic event at Amber House on Kampala Road, Hon. Ruth Nankabirwa officially launched the Government of Uganda’s inaugural and most powerful electric vehicle (EV) charging station. Held under the stirring theme “Drive Electric, Drive into the Future,” the occasion marks a significant stride toward a low-carbon, sustainable future for Uganda.

Grace Muchunguzi, Deputy Country Director of Spiro, shared his company’s success story by noting that Spiro currently operates in 10 countries and has thrived for three years. He highlighted that their commitment to clean energy has already saved an estimated 21,000 tonnes of carbon emissions and supported 23,000 electric motorcycles. Looking ahead, Muchunguzi revealed plans to deploy an additional 10,000 swapping stations—efforts that, she stressed, require supportive policies such as an EV tariff waiver to accelerate industry growth.

Steven Ntambi, MD of Altek, reinforced that electric mobility is not a fleeting trend but a lasting revolution. He emphasized the critical need for widespread infrastructure, urging agencies like KCCA to facilitate the necessary support and scale the momentum already building in Uganda’s EV sector.

Eng Simon Kalanzi, speaking on behalf of the Permanent Secretary, applauded the government’s initiative and underscored ongoing capacity-building efforts to nurture local expertise in the e-mobility arena.

Additional endorsements came from the Representative Minister of Science and Technology, Allan Muhumuza, and a representative of the German Ambassador, both expressing their enthusiasm and support for Uganda’s proactive steps toward a sustainable transport future.

In her keynote address, Hon. Ruth Nankabirwa, Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, outlined a robust vision for Uganda’s electric mobility landscape. She described the newly launched EV charging station as a pilot project—a pivotal investment in low-carbon energy systems that underscores her Ministry’s dedication to reducing emissions and promoting green transportation.

Addressing Barriers: Nankabirwa acknowledged that access to electricity and the affordability of EV charging infrastructure are significant challenges. However, she stressed that overcoming these barriers is essential for the widespread adoption of electric vehicles.

Integrated Infrastructure Development: She emphasized that the growth of EVs is intrinsically linked to the development of charging infrastructure. In line with this, the government has planned to pilot ten EV charging stations within the Kampala Metropolitan area, each equipped with both swapping and Level 3 fast charging capabilities.

Support for Early Pioneers: The Minister recognized the groundbreaking contributions of early e-mobility players in Uganda—specifically Zembo Electric SMC Ltd, Bodawerk (now Gogo Electric), and Kiira Motors Corporation—for paving the way for the current surge in electric mobility.

Broad Benefits of EV Adoption: She highlighted the multiple advantages of electric vehicles, including improved energy efficiency, reduced maintenance costs, lower overall expenses, and a significant reduction in carbon emissions. These benefits are critical, considering the transport sector’s large share of Uganda’s energy consumption and its impact on global CO₂ emissions.

Government Initiatives: Nankabirwa elaborated on various energy efficiency initiatives already underway, such as developing a legal and regulatory framework, supporting industrial energy assessments, promoting efficient cooking appliances, and establishing Minimum Energy Performance Standards. She also touched upon capacity-building measures and the role of public-private partnerships in driving the sector forward.

A Call to Action: Concluding her address, she passionately urged all stakeholders to “Drive Electric, Drive into the Future,” reinforcing that the success of Uganda’s electric mobility transition depends on collective efforts and visionary investments.

The launch of this EV charging station is more than just a technological upgrade it is a bold commitment by the Government of Uganda to champion sustainable transport and actively contribute to the global climate agenda. As public and private partners join forces, the nation is set to witness a transformative journey where clean energy and innovative mobility solutions pave the way for a brighter, greener future.

The event also witnessed the presence of several distinguished guests whose support further reinforced Uganda’s commitment to sustainable transport. Among the notable attendees were:

H.E Matthias Schauer, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany in Uganda, whose presence highlighted international support for Uganda’s green initiatives, The Hon. Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, The Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme, The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, The Country Director and the Head of Energy and Climate Programme at GIZ and CEOs of Uganda’s Electricity Agencies and various representatives from the private sector.