By Our Writer
In abid to encourage innovations into green energy, President Yoweri Museveni has granted Spiro electric motorcycle dealers tax free bonanza to boost their business in Uganda
Officiating at the National Leadership Institute (NALI), Kyankwanzi event, Museveni praised Spiro for the new technology, stating that, “This is good news. The electric bikes are better than our traditional ones which require diesel.”
President Museveni urged the locals t9 embrace environmentally friendly alternatives transport systems to save mother nature.
Spiro is an electric bike producing company in Africa, recognized for its impact on sustainable transportation.
Ms. Rosa Malango, the Chairperson of the Tumaini Africa Knowledge Centre (TAKC), said payment plan in instalment has been introduced for boda boda riders.
According to her 500 electric bikes are already operational in Kampala, with 150 of them sold in the first week.
“The price of an electric bike is $1,000, which is significantly cheaper than the traditional diesel-powered bodas, which cost $1,480. This is about 30% cheaper,” malango said.
“The bikes also have a battery range of approximately 80 kilometres and come with convenient charging stations across Kampala,” she added.
She explained that electric bikes offer affordable energy and the convenience of battery swap stations, where riders can exchange depleted batteries for charged ones.
Spiro country head, Mr. Gaurav Anand, announced plans to partner with the Ugandan government to deploy over 140,000 electric two-wheelers and 3,000 charge-and-swap stations across the country by 2028.
Anand said they expect to have about 35 battery swapping stations in Kampala by the end of the year, noting that the company is set to revolutionise Uganda’s transportation landscape.
“The company also plans to launch electric tuk-tuks next year, further expanding its impact,” he noted.
“We are pleased to bring the latest technology and products to the country. Each bike is equipped with a GPS tracker, allowing us to work with enforcement agencies to enhance security. We look forward to continued cooperation with the Ugandan government in various sectors, including the cotton industry and beef value-addition.”