Ugandan students to get ‘tangible’ skills in electric mobility
Makerere University’s Innovation Pod (Mak-UniPod) has partnered with Kiira Motors and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) to launch a program that will equip university students with skills in electric mobility and associated technologies for industrial uptake.
The first batch of the program will see 25 students from Makerere University selected from electrical, biomedical, software, mechanical, computer engineering, and Bachelor of Science in Physics courses.
Of the selected students, 10 are female and 15 are male.
After completing the one-year training period, they will become Kiira Motors Corporation associate researchers.
According to officials, the program will equip students with foundational knowledge in electric vehicle technology, renewable energy systems, battery cell technology, smart grid systems, and electric vehicle powertrains but also foster practical skills development through hands-on training and project-based learning, enabling participants to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios.
The program will also assist innovation and problem-solving by exploring innovative solutions and tackling complex challenges in clean energy technologies but also facilitate students’ career readiness by preparing them for careers in electric vehicle technologies and interlinkages with industry.
“The Mak-UniPod is a place where research comes to reality. 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 iinitiative,” said Makerere University academic registrar, Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi.
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.
Kiira Motors Corporation Executive Chairman, Prof. Sandy Tickodri-Togboa said the program will greatly benefit Ugandan university student.
“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. It will also create critical human resource mass to be absorbed by KMC and similar entities,” Prof. Tickodri said.
UNDP Resident Representative Ms. Nwanne Vwede Obahor said Uganda is on the right track.
“The skilling program aligns with global trends toward net-zero transition so as to keep 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 (GtCO₂), accounting for roughly 21 percent of global CO₂ emissions that year. The transport sector is therefore a crucial area of intervention in combating climate change.”
Officials said the curriculum covers electric vehicle (EV) 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.
The Mak-UniPod is a multidisciplinary innovation space which is fully equipped to support research and development by not only Makerere University students and faculty, but also youth outside the university through nurturing Uganda’s innovation ecosystem.
The Mak-UniPod was established by UNDP Africa’s Timbuktoo initiative which is a joint initiative of UNDP and Africa Influencers for Development (AI4D).
