Dr. Freddie Mugunga Takes Helm of Inaugural E-Bus Xpress Board as Uganda Accelerates Green Transport Agenda

KAMPALA – Uganda's journey towards a cleaner, smarter, and more sustainable transport future has taken a significant step forward with the appointment of Dr. Emmanuel Freddie Mugunga as the pioneer Chairman of the inaugural Board of Directors of E-Bus Xpress, the electric mobility subsidiary of Kiira Motors Corporation.

Dr. Mugunga will lead the newly constituted five-member board for a four-year term beginning June 1, 2026, at a time when E-Bus Xpress is positioning itself as a transformative force in Uganda's public transport sector.

The board was officially inaugurated in Kampala during a ceremony presided over by the Minister of STI, Eng. Jonard Asiimwe, who challenged the team to provide strategic leadership that extends beyond conventional corporate governance.

“The role of this board goes beyond oversight. It is to provide strategic corporate governance, champion sustainability, embrace digital transformation and artificial intelligence, and unlock partnerships that drive growth and long-term value for Uganda,” Asiimwe said.

He emphasized that Uganda's ambitious ten-fold economic growth agenda will largely depend on innovative institutions that are accountable, sustainable, and capable of supporting national development.

A Strategic Board for a Strategic Mission

Joining Dr. Mugunga on the inaugural board are Arch. Thatcher Nakimuli Mpanga as Deputy Chairperson, Ms. Karen Nankwanga as Independent Non-Executive Director, Mr. Moses Witta Mbubi as Independent Non-Executive Director, and Eng. Ian John Kavuma, who serves as Managing Director of E-Bus Xpress.

The composition of the board reflects a deliberate blend of expertise in governance, mobility systems, sustainability, human capital development, engineering, and corporate leadership.

For E-Bus Xpress, the board arrives at a critical stage as the company seeks to scale electric mobility solutions across Uganda and the wider East African region.

Dr. Mugunga Brings Wealth of Governance Experience

A distinguished public administrator and governance specialist, Dr. Mugunga has built an impressive career in public service spanning several key government ministries and institutions.

Throughout his career, he has served in senior leadership positions within the Ministries of Finance, Public Service, Science, Technology and Innovation, Energy and Mineral Development, Water and Environment, Justice and Constitutional Affairs, and currently the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development.

His leadership has been associated with institutional transformation, policy development, strategic stakeholder engagement, and successful implementation of complex reform programmes.

Perhaps most significantly for E-Bus Xpress, Dr. Mugunga played a direct role in developing the institutional framework that gave rise to Kiira Motors Corporation and was instrumental in formulating Uganda's Automotive Industry Development Policy.

This experience gives him a unique understanding of the country's automotive ecosystem and the policy environment necessary to support electric mobility.

Upon accepting the appointment, Dr. Mugunga pledged to work closely with management to build the company into a sustainable and impactful enterprise.

His expertise in governance, public-private partnerships, resource mobilization, regulatory alignment, and institutional strengthening is expected to provide the strategic direction needed to support the growth of Uganda's emerging electric transport industry.

Beyond public service, Dr. Mugunga was the founding President of the Chevening Alumni Association of Uganda, serving from 2019 to 2021. He holds a Master of Science degree in Governance and Development Management from the University of Birmingham and is a distinguished Chevening Scholar.

Deputy Chairperson Brings Product Design and Mobility Expertise

Arch. Thatcher Mpanga Nakimuli joins the board as Deputy Chairperson with extensive experience in product design and mobility systems.

Currently serving as Principal Program Officer, she has played a leading role in mobility programme development and policy formulation while previously contributing significantly to vehicle design and manufacturing initiatives at Kiira Motors Corporation.

Her background includes electric vehicle development, manufacturing infrastructure planning, research, and academia.

She holds a Master of Science in Integrated Product Design with distinction from Brunel University London and a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Makerere University. 

Sustainability and ESG Expertise Strengthens Governance

Independent Non-Executive Director Karen Nankwanga brings extensive expertise in energy governance, sustainability, and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) frameworks.

With strong legal and policy experience covering climate governance, sustainable finance, and international energy law, Nankwanga has worked extensively on climate policy implementation, sustainability reporting, and public-private sector collaboration.

Her knowledge of international climate frameworks and ESG compliance is expected to help position E-Bus Xpress as a leader in sustainable transport and green investments.

Human Capital and Organizational Development

The board also benefits from the extensive corporate leadership experience of Moses Witta Mbubi.

With more than 24 years of experience in human resource management across multinational corporations including British American Tobacco Uganda, Coca-Cola Beverages Africa, and Stanbic Bank Uganda, Mbubi brings deep expertise in workforce planning, leadership development, diversity and inclusion, and organizational transformation.

His experience managing large workforces and implementing gender equity and social inclusion programmes will be invaluable as E-Bus Xpress expands operations nationally.

Engineering Leadership at the Core

Completing the board is Eng. Ian John Kavuma, Managing Director of E-Bus Xpress and one of Uganda's leading electric mobility professionals.

Kavuma has been at the forefront of developing electric mass transit solutions, battery energy storage systems, and green transport infrastructure.

His experience spans electric vehicle fleet operations, quality assurance, infrastructure development, stakeholder engagement, and sustainable mobility systems.

As Managing Director, he will provide operational leadership while ensuring that engineering innovation is translated into practical transport solutions for Ugandan commuters.

E-Bus Xpress Leading Uganda's Green Mobility Transformation

The board assumes leadership at a time when E-Bus Xpress is rapidly expanding its footprint in Uganda's transport sector.

The company emerged following a successful public green mobility pilot programme in Jinja and has now officially launched electric commuter bus services in Kampala.

The initiative seeks to address some of the capital city's most pressing urban challenges, including traffic congestion, environmental pollution, and long commuter travel times.

According to Managing Director Eng. Kavuma, E-Bus Xpress is redefining public transport by offering a commuter experience previously unavailable to many Ugandans.

“Step onto our bus and you will find what Uganda's commuters have always deserved: air-conditioning, onboard WiFi, cashless payments, scheduled trips and absolute safety and security,” he said.

The company operates Ugandan-manufactured Kayoola electric buses produced by Kiira Motors Corporation, showcasing Uganda's growing capacity in advanced vehicle manufacturing and green technology innovation.

Ambitious Expansion Plans

Currently, E-Bus Xpress has deployed eight Kayoola electric buses within the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area (GKMA) along Route E1, connecting Kampala Central Business District, Ntinda, Nakawa, and Wandegeya in dual circular directions.

The company serves both individual commuters and institutional clients including corporate organizations, educational institutions, and residential communities. In addition, E-Bus Xpress is targeting transport entrepreneurs through innovative franchise models that include lease-to-own, lease-to-operate, and seat-purchase arrangements.

The company plans to deploy 300 electric buses across five major routes in the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area by June 2027, covering corridors such as Ntinda, Entebbe, Makerere, Seeta–Namugongo, and Kampala–Jinja.

Looking further ahead, E-Bus Xpress aims to operate 1,500 electric buses across 14 cities in Uganda by 2031.

Positioning Uganda Among Africa's Emerging E-Mobility Leaders

The Kampala rollout follows a pilot project launched in Jinja in December 2024 and places Uganda among a growing group of African countries embracing electric mobility solutions.

Cities such as Nairobi, Kigali, Dar es Salaam, and Addis Ababa have already begun integrating electric mobility into their urban transport systems.

With a new board bringing together expertise in governance, engineering, sustainability, policy, and human capital development, E-Bus Xpress is positioning itself not only as a transport operator but as a key driver of Uganda's industrialization agenda, green growth strategy, and transition toward a modern, sustainable mobility ecosystem.

As the company embarks on its next phase of expansion, the appointment of Dr. Emmanuel Freddie Mugunga as pioneer board chairman signals a strong commitment to governance excellence and strategic leadership in building Uganda's electric transport future.