 |
| Uganda union of taxis head Ssekindi speaking at Gaddafi Mosque hall on Tuesday. COURTESY PHOTOS |
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Leaders of the Uganda taxi industry aim to emulate their boda boda counterparts by introducing electric vehicles (EVs) across the country.
The chairman of the union of taxi operators and drivers in Uganda, Hajji Rashid Ssekindi has told over 300 delegates from across the country that they have concluded a feasibility study and will be able to start the switch from fuel to electric taxis in November.
“We recently visited China to check what is available. We have come across an 18-seater taxi that we think is suitable for Uganda and affordable,” Ssekindi said at the meeting at Gaddafi Mosque Hall in Kampala Tuesday.
He identified the electric vehicle as one manufactured by HIGER Bus Company, a prominent Chinese commercial vehicle manufacturer based in Suzhou, Jiangsu Province.
This mini-bus belongs to the HIGER H5C / H6C series (often styled after the popular HiAce high-roof body architecture).
He called on taxi leaders to educate their colleagues about the shift in the industry to electric vehicles in light of rising fuel costs, moves to green energy to cut pollution, and technological changes in the engineering and technology world that are moving to EV.
“Our visit to China was to learn more about taxi technology, assess road systems, and determine whether electric taxis can work in Uganda. From what we observed, they can work, but the system needs some modifications to fit our local environment.” Sekindi said.
 | |
| Union business products advisor Fred Ssenoga Bagenda was part of the team that visited China. The taxis that do not need service nor fuel, average about sh100m each and are brand new |
Boda boda, truck and bus leaders speak
Ssekindi, leader of the Uganda Taxi Operators Federation (UTOF), was joined at the briefing by leaders from the boda boda, bus and truck drivers' unions of Uganda.
One of the most high-profile changes in the transport sector in the past two years has seen the umbrella body of boda bodas in Uganda, led by Frank Mawejje adopt the use of EVs.
They have partnered with Spiro, manufacturers of battery-powered electric motorcycles designed to replace traditional petrol-fuelled boda bodas.
Spiro is one of the official partners of Uganda's Alliance for Transporters Union (Registration number: P.28683/RCS) bringing together the Boda Boda Union, Taxi Union, Bus Union, and Truck Drivers Association of Uganda, officially launched early this year.
“I encourage other transport leaders to join this initiative. By embracing electric vehicles together, we can reduce fuel costs, protect our environment, and build a stronger transport industry for Uganda.” Frank Mawejje, Boda Union Chairman said.
 |
| The chairman of the bus union, Trucks Union and Boda boda speak to hundreds of transport sector leaders |
EVs available on loan
Like the Spiro bikes offered to members of the Union, taxis will be available on loan, said Ssekindi, calling on drivers to join SACCOs to enable them purchase the EVs.
He dismissed taxi factions who were sharing false news that they intend to ban and fully replace all taxis with EVS and buses. He said Kampala’s road infrastructure is not prepared for buses, that is why they intend to fill the gap with EV taxis.
He said the taxi union is simply providing a less costly option, and taxi owners will then make their own decision whether to change to EV after studying the overall costs and benefits.
Buses for AFCON
The Bus union on their part are eyeing next year’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) that Uganda hosts together with Kenya and Tanzania.
“We went to China to secure buses that will support the AFCON, because we believe better transport is part of building a successful tournament,” remarked Umar Kakaire Umar, Bus Union chairman
The same message, Go Green was also echoed by the Trucks Union chairman, Asadu.
“We have secured buses and trucks from China, and very soon, they will be operating in Uganda. This is a great step forward for the transport industry, made possible through teamwork, unity, and strong leadership.”
Uganda’s transport sector—long fragmented, informal, and underserved—has lacked the structure, financing, and coordination needed to unlock its full economic potential. Millions of operators across boda bodas, taxis, buses, and trucks have operated without access to affordable financing, organized systems, or collective bargaining power.
The launch of the Alliance for Transporters Union builds on the proven success of the Boda Boda Union model, which has demonstrated that organizing transport workers into a structured, technology-enabled ecosystem can deliver real economic value at scale.
*****
RELATED STORY
Uganda’s Alliance for Transporters Union launched
.jpg){kind=spacer}
