Dreams of an Automotive Industry in Uganda

The Ugandan government has backed a project that began at Makerere University, which participated in a Vehicle Design Summit launched by MIT students in 2006. Now known as the Kiira Motors Corporation, the project has produced electric and hybrid concept vehicles, and Ugandan researchers are now working on a solar-powered electric bus as part of a joint venture with the Indian auto manufacturer Ashok Leyland. It has also summoned help from international advisors and seeks hundreds of millions of dollars in foreign investment to build a sprawling auto plant.