KAMPALA, Uganda — Makerere University’s Innovation Pod (Mak-UniPod) has partnered with Kiira Motors Corporation and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to launch a program aimed at skilling university students in electric mobility and associated technologies for industrial uptake.
As part of the first cohort, 25 students from Makerere University were selected from Electrical, Biomedical, Software, Mechanical, Computer Engineering, and Bachelor of Science in Physics courses. These students will be equipped with foundational knowledge in electric vehicle technology, renewable energy systems, battery cell technology, smart grid systems, and electric vehicle powertrains, as well as hands-on training and project-based learning.
“The Mak-UniPod is a place where research comes to reality,” said Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi, Makerere University’s Academic Registrar. “It is here where students and young people come to put their novelty into a product. From here, many companies will emerge and with such programs, students will be able to design for products that meet the industry needs. I appreciate UNDP for partnering with us to put up such a facility under the Timbuktoo initiative.”
The scope of the skilling program will encompass a comprehensive range of subjects, including fundamental concepts in electric vehicle technology, renewable energy technologies, fuel cell technology, smart grid systems, and hands-on training with electric vehicle powertrain workbenches.
“This program serves to equip users with the knowledge and expertise necessary to address contemporary challenges in the automotive industry while promoting innovation and entrepreneurship in the sector,” said Sandy Tickodri-Togboa, Kiira Motors Corporation Executive Chairman. “It will also create critical human resource mass to be absorbed by Kiira Motors and similar entities.”
The UNDP Resident Representative, Nwanne Vwede Obahor, noted that the program aligns with global trends toward net-zero transition. “The skilling program is crucial in keeping the global temperature increase below 1.5°C as stipulated in the Paris Agreement on climate change. In 2024, the transport sector emitted 8.24 billion metric tons (GtCOâ‚‚), accounting for roughly 21 percent of global COâ‚‚ emissions that year. The transport sector is therefore a crucial area of intervention in combating climate change.”
According to officials, the curriculum covers electric vehicle basics, such as the use of battery-powered electric motors and various charging options, including Level 1 (standard home outlets), Level 2 (240-volt outlets), and DC Fast Charging.
With Africa facing challenges like rapid urbanization, population growth, and the need for clean energy solutions, adopting electric vehicles offers a transformative opportunity to address these issues, reduce fossil fuel dependence, and support a sustainable future.
