President Yoweri Museveni on Friday commissioned the Kiira Vehicle Plant in Jinja, hailing it as a milestone in Uganda’s industrialization drive and a symbol of the country’s growing economic potential.
Museveni said Uganda’s economy is expanding at 7% annually and is projected to surpass 10% growth once commercial oil production begins.
“We have a clear vision for what will transform our society,” he noted, underscoring government efforts to build strong foundations in energy, industry, and technology.
A major focus, Museveni said, will be on processing Uganda’s rich iron ore reserves in Kabale and Butogota to produce high-quality steel locally. The country currently spends over $900 million every year on steel imports.
“Uganda is fortunate to have some of the best iron ore in the world, and this must be harnessed to drive our development,” the President said.
The commissioning of the Kiira Vehicle Plant marks a significant step in Uganda’s automotive ambitions, particularly in electric mobility. Museveni emphasized that the global demand for electric vehicles highlights the importance of securing critical minerals such as lithium, which Uganda possesses in large deposits in Ntungamo and other regions.
He congratulated Makerere University, Kiira Motors Corporation, and the National Enterprise Corporation (NEC) for pioneering Uganda’s entry into the automotive manufacturing sector.
“Their achievements prove that success is possible, breaking down the barriers of doubt and demonstrating that we can indeed realise our potential,” Museveni remarked.
The Kiira Vehicle Plant is expected to create jobs, boost technology transfer, and reduce reliance on imported vehicles.
Officials say it will also contribute to Uganda’s long-term goal of building a competitive manufacturing sector that supports sustainable growth and positions the country as a regional industrial hub.