The National Enterprise Corporation (NEC), the commercial arm of the UPDF is set to undertake commercialization of the Kiira EV vehicle, the Nile Post has learnt.
The Kiira EVS is the first locally manufactured electric car running on both combustible and electric engine.
The NEC Managing Director, Maj.Gen.James Mugira on Wednesday signed an Memorandum of Understanding with the Chief Executive Officer- Kiira Motors Corporation (KMC), Paul Isaac Musasizi that would see NEC undertake commercialization of Kiira EV vehicles.
KMC is a state enterprise incorporated to undertake the commercialization of the Kiira Electric Vehicle project.
“NEC through one of its subsidiaries-NEC Construction Works and Engineering Ltd and utilizing UPDF engineers which have since developed capacity for engineering construction and civil works, will be engaged by the KMC for the construction of the Kiira vehicle plant,” read in part a statement from the Uganda army’s commercial arm.
They said start -up facilities will be located at the Jinja industrial and business park at Kagowa Village, Mawaito Parish, in Kakira Town Council in Jinja district.
The Kiira EVS is according to officials a four-seater front wheel executive sedan built off the Kiira EV SMACK platform fitted with a 2.0 litre petrol engine, five speed automatic transmission and an exquisite beige interior trim.
Sandy Stevens Tickodri-Togboa, the Kiira Motors Corporation recently revealed that they have started taking orders from willing buyers of their vehicles adding that the brand new vehicle will go for $25,000 to $35,000 before taxes.
The hybrid vehicle early this week went out for a road test, prompting Tickodri to boast that soon Uganda will become a major car manufacturer on the continent.
The company forecasts that they will be able to manufacture their commercial vehicles by 2023 after the completion of their manufacturing and assembling plant.
Cabinet last year approved the commercialization roadmap for the vehicle and also promised to offer a lifeline through funding to the project.
The project born in 2014 at Makerere University will see government support local small and medium companies to manufacture parts of the vehicle including brake pads, seats, and bumpers among others.
