A concerned citizen has called on the Inspector General of Government (IGG) to investigate and block the UGX 20 billion earmarked for Kiira Motors Corporation, a state-owned enterprise tasked with manufacturing electric vehicles in Uganda. The Ugandan government holds a 96% stake in the corporation, with Makerere University owning the remaining 4%.
The whistleblower’s document submitted to the IGG accuses the Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, Dr. Monica Musenero, alongside Prof. Tickodri-Togboa, Paul Musasizi, and other officials, of misleading the public about the project’s progress. The whistleblower alleges that despite receiving substantial public funding, Kiira Motors has yet to produce any buses domestically and continues to import finished buses, falsely claiming local manufacture.
“Since the President has initiated a war against corruption, the IGG should join the fight and scrutinize Kiira Motors Corporation to show Ugandans where their money is going and what it truly produces,” the whistleblower urged.
Members of Parliament on the Committee of Commissions, Statutory Authorities, and State Enterprises (COSASE) have recently voiced concerns over the UGX 20 billion allocated for assembling 25 Kayoola electric buses by Kiira Motors. The MPs pointed out that the production cost per bus is significantly higher than the cost of importing similar buses.
The Auditor General’s report from December 2023 highlighted that several planned activities, including the manufacture of 25 electric buses valued at UGX 1.96 billion, had not been completed by the end of the 2022/23 fiscal year. This prompted Martin Muzaale, Buzaaya County MP, to question the justification for the high production costs.
“So, are you saying that 25 buses were to cost UGX 20 billion? We want to ascertain if this is competitive,” Muzaale demanded.
Isaac Musasizi, CEO of Kiira Motors, clarified that while UGX 20 billion had been allocated, only UGX 5 billion was spent by the end of the financial year. He explained that the funds also covered tools and infrastructure adjustments at the Nakasongola plant. The buses produced include 8-meter and 10-meter buses, designed for city use.
“Some of the funds go towards necessary tools because the plant wasn’t originally set up for bus production,” Musasizi explained.
Despite this, MPs remained skeptical. COSASE Chairperson Medard Lubega requested a detailed breakdown of production costs, questioning the value for money. Elgon County MP Gerald Nangoli further questioned the viability of Kiira Motors, noting that manufacturing costs in Uganda are higher than importing buses, thus defeating the purpose of reducing import dependence.
editorial@examiner.co.ug
