KAMPALA, Uganda — StarTimes Uganda plans to invest $300 million over the next five years to deploy 300,000 electric motorcycles, a move that could significantly change the country’s urban transport landscape.
The initiative was confirmed following a meeting between the Minister of Works and Transport, Gen. Katumba Wamala, and StarTimes leadership. The project marks a major expansion for the company beyond its traditional media business and into sustainable transport.
The plan aligns with the National E-Mobility Strategy, which aims to electrify public transport and reduce the country’s carbon footprint. Officials estimate the electric motorcycles will cut carbon emissions by more than 40 percent compared to traditional petrol-powered bikes.
Beyond environmental impact, the project focuses on public health. Projections suggest that reducing exhaust emissions could lower air-pollution-related deaths by up to 18 percent, particularly in congested urban centers like Kampala.
The rollout is also expected to address energy concerns by utilizing between 28 and 33 percent of Uganda’s surplus electricity. This increase in domestic demand could improve the sustainability of the power sector while reducing the country’s dependence on imported fuel.
However, the announcement has met with mixed reactions from industry players. Some have questioned whether the bikes will be assembled locally or imported, noting that local producers have only assembled a few thousand electric motorcycles over the last five years.
Current electric motorcycle brands in Uganda say that while demand is growing, access to affordable credit for riders remains a significant barrier to adoption. There are an estimated 1 million to 1.5 million motorcycles in the country.
Safety advocates have also expressed concern that adding more motorcycles to the roads could increase accident rates. They argue that transport investments should instead prioritize mass transit systems like buses.
If successful, the $300 million investment would represent one of the largest private contributions to Uganda’s green energy transition and could establish the country as a regional leader in electric mobility.
