Uganda’s ambition to shift toward electric transport has gained renewed momentum, with financiers, policymakers, and industry leaders calling for innovative financing models to unlock investment in the sector. The call was made during the National E-Mobility Expo 2025, hosted at the Kiira Vehicle Plant in Jinja, where government officials, banks, insurers, and innovators gathered to chart the next steps for the country’s e-mobility journey.
Speaking at the forum, Uganda Bankers Association Executive Director Wilbrod Owor stressed the need for financing solutions that stretch beyond manufacturing to cover consumer credit, employee welfare, and skills retention. He argued that the transition to electric mobility will only be sustainable if every part of the value chain has access to affordable finance.
Dr Joseph Muvawala, Executive Director of the National Planning Authority, highlighted the importance of accountability in government policy. He explained that tax exemptions and VAT waivers are valuable tools but must be accompanied by measurable outcomes to reduce investor risk. “The incentives must be felt both by investors and ordinary citizens,” he said, urging policymakers to demonstrate the tangible impact of these fiscal measures.
From the insurance perspective, Britam Insurance Uganda Chief Executive Officer Allan Mafabi underscored the critical role of risk mitigation. He noted that financial instruments such as insurance covers are essential in providing safety nets that give investors confidence to commit long-term capital into e-mobility ventures.
Panelists at the expo agreed that Uganda’s transition cannot be carried by a single actor. Instead, banks, insurers, regulators, innovators, and manufacturers must work together to develop business models that lower entry barriers, expand consumer uptake, and stimulate domestic production.
While challenges remain particularly high infrastructure costs, limited consumer credit, and policy uncertainties the stakeholders expressed optimism that Uganda can become a regional hub for clean transport. Proposals such as leasing schemes, mobility-as-a-service platforms, and public-private partnerships were floated as practical steps to accelerate adoption.
Uganda’s e-mobility shift is framed not only as an environmental necessity but also as an economic opportunity, with potential to reduce fuel import bills, create jobs, and industrialize the automotive sector. The outcomes of this year’s expo signal that the conversation is moving from ambition to concrete financial models capable of powering the country’s electric future.