By Ezaruku Draku Franklin

The Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Thomas Tayebwa has pledged Parliament’s support to the Kiira Motors Corporation in its effort to produce carbon free cars in Uganda.

The corporation is currently constructing plants at Jinja Industrial Park to produce hybrid cars for both domestic and international markets. The plant that sits on 100 acres of land is being constructed by National Enterprise Corporation, under UPDF, supervised by Makerere University. When complete, the facility will start production at 9 buses a day, eventually hitting the peak at 22 later.

During a guided tour on Wednesday, Mr Tayebwa accompanied by the Kiira Motors Executive Chairman Kiira Motors, Prof. Sandy Stevens Tichodri-Tagboa and the CEO Paul Musasizi said the commitment by the team putting up the facilities is impressive and that their work will greatly contribute to Uganda’s efforts in producing electric cars. He said no country has fully transformed without venturing into industrialisation and manufacturing.

“I am very impressed by the work being done here by the National Enterprise Corporation under the supervision of Makerere University Professors,” the deputy speaker said, adding that: “This [project] is a true testimony that the moment you believe in your national capabilities, you can move mountains,” he said.

He said Parliament, where he is a deputy speaker will do all that it takes to ensure successful completion of the vehicle plant.

“This project still needs more support and it shouldn’t be a project which is only championed by the president alone but by all of us. This is a key project for the nation and it’s something we’re proud of as a country,” he said.

“I urge you, don’t run like a government institution. I have been reading through reports, most of the government institutions are practicing cooperate governance. Don’t only look at it as a business, but look at it as a springboard for training more Ugandans so that they can go and work in other manufacturing factories,” he added.

Funding

Government in 2018/19 financial year approved a total of Shs148 billion for the construction of the facility. However, but August 2021, only Shillings 80billion was remitted for the construction.

Paul Isaac Musasizi, the KMC chief executive officer said the delay in remitting the required funds have hampered the completion of the first phase of the project, which by now should have ended.

President Museveni in last financial year directed that Shs141 billion, which would have been spent on the construction of a road in this financial year, be given to Kiira Motors Corporation to complete the building of their vehicle plant project.

President Museveni, who laid a foundation stone at the plant in Jinja Industrial Park said the completion of the plant will produce quicker results than the road to be constructed.

The first phase of the Kiira vehicle plant facilities include an assembly shop, a warehouse, in-plant circulation roads, perimeter fence, waste water treatment plant, site drainage and utility distribution.