Govt asked to promote electric mobility as fuel costs, pollution rise

Amos Wekesa, Rwenzori Marathon team leader, is carried on a boda boda as cyclists ride through Kampala streets on electric bikes during the launch of the Rwenzori Marathon

The government has been urged to promote electric mobility and introduce incentives for the sector as air pollution and rising fuel costs continue to affect urban transport in Uganda.

Stakeholders in the electric mobility sector said increased investment in electric transport could help reduce vehicle emissions, improve air quality and protect people from health risks associated with prolonged exposure to polluted air.

Frank Mawejje, chairperson of the United Boda Boda Riders Cooperative Union, urged the government to improve access to affordable electricity and reduce battery costs to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles.

Mr Mawejje said many electric vehicle charging stations currently pay high electricity tariffs despite consuming large amounts of power to charge batteries.

He called for special electricity tariffs for battery-charging facilities.

“Our major challenge is insufficient electricity at different substations. We urge the government to extend subsidised electricity rates to the e-mobility sector, as it does for factories,” he said.

The stakeholders spoke on Friday during the launch of the Rwenzori Marathon in Kampala, an event organised by Spiro Uganda to promote green mobility and raise awareness about carbon emissions ahead of the main marathon scheduled for August 22 in Kasese.

Bruce Mucunguzi, deputy country head of Spiro Uganda, urged the government to strengthen measures to control pollution in cities, saying exposure to vehicle emissions increases health risks.

He said children, pregnant women and older people are among those exposed to vehicle fumes while using roads.

“We believe that a healthy population starts with a healthy environment. There is an urgent need to embrace clean transport and clean mobility to protect the region’s natural beauty from carbon emissions,” he said.

Amos Wekesa, the Rwenzori Marathon team leader, also called for increased investment in green mobility, noting that pedestrians, passengers and other road users are regularly exposed to vehicle emissions.

As part of the campaign, more than 200 cyclists rode electric bicycles from Wandegeya through Yusuf Rule Road, Nile Avenue and Buganda Road before returning to Wandegeya.

Traffic a major pollution source

Air pollution remains a major challenge in Uganda's urban areas.

The recent Air Quality Monitoring Network for the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area report found that vehicular traffic contributed more to declining air quality in Kampala than industrialisation, with Namanve identified as the most polluted zone, followed by Namuwongo, Bugolobi and Nakawa.

A 2025 study by the United Nations Environment Programme on real-world vehicle emissions in Kampala found that transport accounted for about 60 percent of measured emissions, with ageing and imported vehicles being major contributors.

The findings have increased calls for cleaner transport options as Kampala's vehicle population continues to grow.

Efforts to obtain a comment from Jonard Asiimwe, the Minister in the Office of the President in charge of Science, Technology and Innovation, were unsuccessful.

Earlier this year, however, former Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Monica Musenero told this publication that the government had a master plan to phase out fuel-powered motorcycles from Kampala's Central Business District by 2030 as part of efforts to reduce pollution.

Electric mobility companies, including Spiro Uganda, Gogo, Zembo and Kiira Motors, are expanding their operations and working to increase charging infrastructure across the country.