Uganda unveils Africa's first solar-powered bus

The CEO of technology company Kiira Motors Corporation (Ugandan Paul Isaac Musasizi) and the brains behind Africa's first solar-powered electric bus which makes its debut on February 16.

 "In Uganda, we have non-stop sun," he says. "No other countries manufacturing vehicles are on the equator like Uganda. We should celebrate that, and make a business out of it.

 "The 35-seater bus, known as the "Kayoola", can travel up to 50 miles straight and is powered by two batteries. One is connected to solar panels on the roof, while the other is charged electrically for longer distances and journeys at night.
Musasizi says it takes just one hour to fully charge each battery, making the vehicle suitable for "all sorts of duties in the cities", such as school buses or longer-haul journeys across borders.