The “Made in Uganda Grand Trans-Africa Electric Expedition” has reached Francistown, Botswana, marking a historic milestone for Ugandan engineering as the team prepares for a high-profile showcase in Gaborone tomorrow.
The expedition, piloting the fully electric Kayoola E-Coach, has covered an impressive 4,000 kilometers since departing Kampala, traversing diverse terrains across East and Southern Africa without a single mechanical fault.
Crossing from Zambia into Botswana on Sunday, the convoy was warmly received at the Cresta Thapama Hotel by a diplomatic delegation led by Ambassador Kintu Nyago, Uganda’s Deputy High Commissioner to South Africa.
Ambassador Nyago hailed the expedition as a powerful testament to Uganda’s engineering capabilities.
“Seeing this state-of-the-art electric bus here in Botswana proves that Ugandan innovation is ready to lead Africa’s green revolution. We are thankful to the Office of the President for supporting this great innovation as well as MTN that has kept us connected to the expedition,” he said.
The ambassador was joined by Dr. Judith Atuhaire, a lecturer at Gaborone University of Law and Professional Studies, and Dr Patrick Mulindwa, an obstetrician at Riverside Hospital in Francistown.
A key factor behind the expedition’s success has been the seamless digital connectivity provided by MTN Uganda.
Equipped with advanced telemetry and communication systems, the Kayoola E-Coach allows real-time monitoring of battery health, performance, and terrain adaptation.
Paul Luyima of MTN emphasized the significance of digitalization in supporting the journey: “MTN is proud to power the digital backbone of this historic expedition. This is more than a journey across borders; it demonstrates how connectivity and African innovation can unlock new economic possibilities for our continent.”
Elias Bwambale, the expedition team lead, described the journey as a bold statement of Uganda’s technological progress.
“We are showing the world that we have the technology, durability, and comfort to compete on the global stage,” he said.
Tomorrow, the team will continue to Gaborone for a major event engaging Botswana government officials and transport stakeholders, focusing on bilateral cooperation in the automotive industry and the promotion of green mobility solutions.
Following Gaborone, the Kayoola E-Coach will continue its journey to South Africa, ultimately aiming for Cape Town.