UGANDA’s MAKERERE University Students Successfully Road Tests First Own Made ELECTRIC CAR

“The car is ready,” exclaimed Mr Paul Isaac Musasizi, the Project Manager of the Vehicle Design Mission at Makerere University, which has produced Uganda’s first electric car.

Kiira EV on road test in Makerere University campus yesterday 11/1 as students cheer the new innovation.

The Kiira EV was yesterday 11/1 tested for road and drive performance, ability to climb steep areas and ability to pick up speed, among other parameters. “The vehicle can pick speed very fast, the motor stands strong, the reverse is perfect, it properly climbed a 55 degrees incline, the performance is good,” Mr Musasizi said after driving the vehicle for 4km reaching a top speed of 65km/hr. More adjustments, however, still need to be done when the car is gaining speed as it tends to jerk. More power also needs to be added to the steering wheel and a horn installed for the vehicle to be fit. The making of Kiira EV started in August 2009 with a handful of students at the College of Engineering Art and Design, formerly the Faculty of Technology. “It was not easy; all we had was faith and no money but luckily in December 2010, President Museveni gave us a grant and we immediately started the work. Getting people onto the project was not easy either,” said Mr Musasizi. They eventually had a team of 25.

In Student's campus Workshop at Makerere University

Bureaucracy to buy certain parts of the vehicle was another challenge the students faced and it delayed the making of the vehicle. Support call The success of the car draws a lot of lessons both for the University and country, according to principal investigator of the Project, Prof. Sandy Tickodri-Togboa. “Because the entire staff of a faculty is not often involved in such projects, it would help if all academicians got involved. This will improve methods of training at the University so that we are able to produce high caliber graduates,” he said. Kiira EV is a two-seater electric vehicle. Its battery system consists of lithium-ion batteries, its maximum speed is 200km/hr and needs a recharge after running 80km. Although some components of the car like the steering wheel and other minor accessories were imported from manufacturers outside Uganda, most parts of the car including the core body and combustion system were designed and built locally.

Makerere Campus Monks Loking On..

A thrilled Makerere University Vice Chancellor Prof. Venansius Baryamureeba said: “A breed of youngsters with a nerve for technological inventions and innovations has been assembled.” As the world targets reducing carbon emissions students and faculty at Makerere University are keen to show they are up to speed.

Posted by Editor on November 2, 2011. Filed under HEADLINES, INTERNATIONAL NEWS. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry

75 Responses to UGANDA’s MAKERERE University Students Successfully Road Tests First Own Made ELECTRIC CAR

We chalo

November 2, 2011 at 3:48 pm

This is good progress. Big up Makerere University, i hope UNZA and CBU will take a leaf, and those calling for NRDC to be turned into a University should know that what makes a University is the quality of research output and its not a matter of a president making decree
Wanu Ngwee

November 2, 2011 at 3:48 pm

Just yesterday I expressed my worries about how we all waste time preoccupying ourselves with what $ Siliya says about her ex and what the ex says about her while other countries talk development and record achievements such this one by Uganda. We must wake to the reality of where the outside world places us in terms of quality of education, our infrastructure, economy and competitiveness. Two weeks ago, I was so shocked to learn that this year’s top univeristy ratings place UNZA at number 69 in Africa! All this is so because our priorities are misplaced.
gilbert

November 2, 2011 at 3:52 pm

now this is development. please teach our students who have become dull cadres.
complexone

November 2, 2011 at 3:58 pm

challenge to CBU UNZA
escz

November 2, 2011 at 4:08 pm

Zambians, We have been challenged. How i wish some students here in Zambia would emulate there fellows.
CBU and UNZA, Pull up your socks ba mbuli
zeng

November 2, 2011 at 4:10 pm

wow!!so inspirational!!we cn do it aswel.
C-Jay

November 2, 2011 at 4:12 pm

Ba Tumfweko, not again! “It was not easy; all we had was faith and no money but luckily in December 2011 President Museveni gave us a grant and we immediately started the work. Getting people onto the project was not easy either,” said Mr Musasizi” Am beggining to suspect you are like so-called “private schools” who use grade twelve failures as cheap labour! December 2011, are you sure???
Musonda

November 2, 2011 at 4:18 pm

LMAO
Musonda

November 2, 2011 at 4:18 pm

Wow impressive Uganda good 4 u
Chisenga

November 2, 2011 at 4:22 pm

Our local students specialise in breaking cars instead of making them. The quality of our education system is so appalling. I know a few pupils who have done extremely well with their JETS projects but it all ends up as an article in the Post & nothing more. UNZA & CBU: everyone knows its easier to destroy than to build, but virtue lies in the patience of building. Congrats Makerere monks. Viva Uganda!
MASELINO

November 2, 2011 at 4:23 pm

Thumbs up for you guys.
POLITICAL PROSTITUTE

November 2, 2011 at 4:26 pm

I hope our “stone throwing students” will learn something from makerere intellectuals.
mwembe

November 2, 2011 at 4:30 pm

Ba Tumfweko, how come BBC and other international news sites have not carried out this story? Am a bit reluctant to believe you. But if its true, I have nothing to take away from Makerere Uni. Students and staff. Such achievements have been long in the waiting from such reputable Universities in Africa.
Dora Siliya

November 2, 2011 at 4:34 pm

This is what we need to emulate instead of getting student DULL cadres who are just busy into politics with the hope of having a day when they will feel my soft bums.For your information, there is political instability in Uganda and those students are busy labouring to be useful unlike some of the dull student cadres we have in Zambia.They are lazy to think further and find it very easy to venture into politics.
In Uganda, Today’s Youth Has No Time for Politics
Linda Tusiime
22 September 2009

——————————————————————————–

opinion

A while back, the youth were asking the President to reduce the retirement age for civil servants so that they (the retirees) can use their wealth of experience to start businesses that will create employment.

Also, early retirement would create opportunities for young graduates to fill the positions left by retirees. While this was a good idea, I think the major purpose of the argument was to satisfy the latter demand. I had a chat with a friend on this subject and an interesting observation came up. If the President actually heeds to these demands and changes the Constitution with the sole purpose of ‘giving others a chance’, what would it say about him who [supported the removal of term limits] thereby ‘preventing others from having a chance’ at the top job. By the end of our conversation, we came to the conclusion that the youth were wasting their time
diskava

November 2, 2011 at 4:38 pm

“Although some components of the car like the steering wheel and other minor accessories were imported from manufacturers outside Uganda, most parts of the car including the core body and combustion system were designed and built locally.”

A combustion system in an electric car?Its like trying to figure out which direction the smoke was going from an electric train headed towards the north, with the wind blowing eastwards.
Ken Mvula

November 2, 2011 at 4:41 pm

UNZA come up with telecomm. Just a cell phone , it will help more .
Dora Siliya

November 2, 2011 at 4:45 pm

Ba Mwembe, think outside the box.There is more news out there not just Tumfweko.com.
Check this out;
http:// allafrica.com/view/group/main/main/id/00014455.html
Esther

November 2, 2011 at 4:49 pm

Excuse me u pipo wu r insultin n kolin us nems.these students r able to undertake projects lyk these because they hav propa facilities.we also do projects bt they rnt as big as electric cars bcoz they are sponsored frm our pockets.provide us wth the ryt facilities n backup n u wil c wat we cn do.n pay our universities a visit b4 u hurl criticism at us.wel done Makerere!
Umwina Nkana

November 2, 2011 at 5:14 pm

At least about a year ago I watched how CBU has come up with traffic lights. How far has that project gone?
Bravo

November 2, 2011 at 5:17 pm

Intellectuals where are you? Amano balakopa. I wonder why our Zambian students feel lazy to think hard when we have all the peaceful environment. Where people trouble, there’s full usage of the brain. No wonder Bembas say “Ubuchushi bupa mano” So opposite we can safely say Umutende upa ubupuba. Zambian universities wake up and lift up the flag. Twalashalila. Remember we are leading in many positive things.
mad scientist

November 2, 2011 at 5:20 pm

BA CBU NABA UNZA MULEKUMBWAKO KU BANENU ABA MANO KU UGANDA NOT UKULAMIBOMFYAFYE MUMA CAMPAIGNS. PLS LEARN SOMETHING NOT ENGINEERING YAPAMAPEPALA FYE ATI NI BA ENGINEER WHEN YU CAN EVEN CONSTRUCT A CABIN.
mwamba

November 2, 2011 at 5:21 pm

There is nothing happenning in science Research Laboratories.Chiluba killed Zamcapital. Our students are forced into experimentiing with Tujilijili. I pray that the new leaders will appreciate the value of Science and Technology.The country needs to identify the best brains,nurture them and put them to work on important national projects.The Office of the Presindet should have a special section for this purpose.Brains and Money should also become important considerations for admitting new immigrants into our country. We lost ten years during the reign of Mr Chiluba. Please find Money to fund research activities in Zambia. Remember Tip Top, remember Masuku Wine and many projets undertaken by Zamcapitalm
Anani Koffi

November 2, 2011 at 5:27 pm

I mwe ifwe pa Zed ni Zeee
TOKO

November 2, 2011 at 5:32 pm

Bane, They just bought parts and assembled the car. Hahaaa….Its not like they made some technological leap…..
SoxMe2011

November 2, 2011 at 5:35 pm

Thats what we call development..even Henry Ford started like that. Even Bill Gates started like that..Larry elison,micheal Dell etc…
This is what happens when you have a serious President in Office not what we have who spends the entire month making appointments as if he is a HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGER…and some appointments SUCK!!
Katata-na-katubi

November 2, 2011 at 5:36 pm

You cracked my ribs – “Umutende upa ubupuba” – LOL:):)
The Jackal

November 2, 2011 at 5:45 pm

Bloggers too quick to point a finger at CBU and Unza, what about yourselves, can you do anything constructive if you even have any knowledge. Do not give students challenges when they have no resources at all. The students are able to do a lot but the previous governments have not supported them. Therefore, this challenge should not be directed at students but the administrators of those universities who have failed the students miserably. If the administrators are not inspiring how can student come up with such ideas? Leave the students alone! When we come with good ideas nobody is supporting us financially and resource wise!
Mo taim

November 2, 2011 at 5:47 pm

This is what am talking about.
wiingstone

November 2, 2011 at 5:49 pm

Zambia 47 years after independence not even our own piston craft, sponsors am ready and I ve the necessary Brains only require help. UNZA, CBU are just institutions some are there because they can afford! Hw I wish!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
KINGZ IN THE WILD

November 2, 2011 at 5:49 pm

Mwembe, am suprised at yo reasoning! u cant believe a news item on the zambian site unless frm international media houses. u re so usd to being fed than to feed. teach somebody something than always to be taught.inferiality complex has got the best of you. bravo makerere intellectuals. unza next yr wil be on to making razor blades.
True Zambian

November 2, 2011 at 5:52 pm

@ Toko: Do you know how South Korea started with the car industry, they built cars from scrapped imported American vehicles and now are a serious force to recon with. Right now Hyundai is leading in sales in South Africa followed by Toyota. The First Hyundai used Mazda, Kia used Mitsubishi, Daewoo used Opel and Ssangyong used Benz engines but now they have their own technology. This Bane is big ups to Makerere.
Musonda

November 2, 2011 at 6:07 pm

LMAO that’s a good 1 bravo
Unza bola

November 2, 2011 at 6:15 pm

Yes Africa can do it. Lets show bafigili abasungu that we can also do It…..even better. Unza, let do something noti ukulatobafye imyotoka ngaya vivuka.
nsimbi

November 2, 2011 at 6:18 pm

They were given a grant in Dec 2011, which year was this now.
Confused

November 2, 2011 at 6:25 pm

Just one question, Does an Electric Car have a combustion system?? I think not so, the whole purpose of an electric car is to replace combustion as a source of power with electricity. So either the reporting is missing something very important or the vehicle in question is a hybrid vehicle(Combination of electric and combustion engine) and therefore no an electric car.
Plant fitter

November 2, 2011 at 6:57 pm

Gud 4 uganda students.wat has our enginerins done in zambia.**** them all
The DokTech

November 2, 2011 at 7:12 pm

Bravo. Yes bloggers, we should compare with UNZA and CBU for them to be innovative. I studied at some college in Malawi but I was lucky to be one the first africans (the only Zambian so far) to participate in the prestigious Microsoft Imagine Cup in the same Uganda. What I mean is our Universities should improve on research, too much concentration in the medical field.
Areaboy

November 2, 2011 at 7:22 pm

Great stuff. Open challenge to Zambia’s universities.
msana wanzili

November 2, 2011 at 7:49 pm

Our UNZA only knows how to produce road engineers and the thieving roads consultants. Shama shame shame.
AKRRAL

November 2, 2011 at 7:58 pm

KASAKO,UGANDA UNIVERSITY CAN MADE SOMETHING WHICH IS VERY VISUALLY.SHAME WITH OUR UNZA,CBU AND MULUNGUSHI WHO JUST MAKE,INVENT,DISCOVER,CREATE VIOLENCE,STONE THROWERS
HER

November 2, 2011 at 9:07 pm

I don’t. Believe tumfweko’s story. Have done automotive. How can an electrick car having combustion system. That’s a lie please tumfweko research before u write anything. After all an electrickcar exist in some developed countries with no combustion.if this is true then tumfweko should rewrite a story its comfusing u are so dull
Pragmatist 2011

November 2, 2011 at 10:07 pm

Makarere University has been an education centre in Africa offering quality education from time before most Africans countries gained their political independence. This is good news to prove to the whole world that Africans given the right tech know-how can produce high quality tech products comparable to the advanced countries. Other African universities must emulate Makerere. To our own universities in Zambia, this is a challenge which you should take and come up with your own feat of innovation in technology. The government should also show political will towards education, promoting mathematics science and technology. Design and Technology education in Zambia is almost non-existent. Government must revamp science, Mathematics and technology subjects starting from primary schools.
C-Jay

November 2, 2011 at 10:19 pm

Lolest! Ba Diskava, kwena apa namucita diskava!
mulenga mwansa

November 2, 2011 at 11:27 pm

Thumbs up Makerere University for that achievement. After so many years of driving foreign cars, Ugandans will be driving a local product. This is how a university is supposed be. Research, and research and research should be the order of the university. Zambia as a nation and University of Zambia particular should learn something from Uganda Makerere university. I don’t really know if we do have Universities in Zambia. If you go to the so called universities in our country, you will get surprised at ywhat you will find. No Library, if you find one, very few books.
Infor

November 3, 2011 at 12:12 am

Good show…a big challenge and a lesson to learn from by the Zambians, especially lecturers at Zambian university you guys dont have patience, you want 1 year projects, check how long that project tookand how many students participated? Good things take time…
However tumfweko needs to be serious with their reporting, as an Energy Engineer i find this article very inconsistent, please ba tumfweko before you post your post your articles you need to proof read….
otherwise congrats to Makerere University, my squatee is from Uganda so i will shut up for now coz am fond of tizing their country and universities…
quizzer

November 3, 2011 at 12:41 am

Same thought.
kamwendo

November 3, 2011 at 1:30 am

some people seem to have 5-D eyesight, somehow “Dec 2010″ looks to them, “Dec 2011″.
messenger

November 3, 2011 at 1:47 am

UNZA, CBU this is a big challenge for you. not just throwing stones; did you know that UNZA ranks number 69 in african universities? CBU is not even on the list. wake up guys and do something. prove yourselves worthy to be called university. South African universities are working on a nuclear reactor project. Indian universities are working on a satelite which will be launched soon.
kamfulunganya

November 3, 2011 at 4:10 am

the thing our Zambian education system doesn’t move with time we have merely maintained what the british left us. no research means no development, let us emulate our brothers they invested in technology education, let us send people abroad to technology not economics I believe we have enough theorists in Zambia Who can easily distort the SPECIAL UNZA/CBU brains into believing they knw everthing when infact are taught out dated theories. Let us admit our mistake and then move forward together as a nation “our education is not up to speed” period
mukuka joseph

November 3, 2011 at 6:24 am

This is a wake up call for copperbelt university,not only us student,but also the university adminstration, first we need enough labolatories,we are too much in to theory,its doing us no good.congrats makerere university! Africa is proud of you