'Uganda loses sh500m daily in fuel due to traffic congestion'

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Uganda is losing an estimated sh500 million each day in wasted fuel due to traffic congestion, according to Dr Monica Musenero, Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation in the Office of the President.

Beyond fuel losses, Musenero highlighted that the country is also incurring economic setbacks from lost time and deteriorating infrastructure.

“Vehicles are congested in urban areas, creating pollution and wasting valuable time,” Musenero said.

She was speaking during the graduation ceremony of the fourth cohort of the Inclusive Green Economy (IGE) Capacity Building Programme, held on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, at Kolping Hotel in Kampala.

The IGE programme, hosted by Environment for Development (EfD) at Makerere University, trains senior civil servants and policymakers from across Eastern Africa to promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth. It is funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida).

This year’s theme was: “Promoting E-Mobility in Uganda: Advancing Energy Efficiency and Reducing Emissions in the Transport Sector.” Five civil servants completed the year-long course.

Musenero stated that traffic congestion in Kampala alone results in over $800 million (sh3 trillion) in productivity losses annually, primarily due to delays affecting commuters and businesses.

“In Uganda, mobility is a major contributor to our environmental and economic challenges,” she said. “Road transport accounts for 95% of passenger traffic and 96.5% of freight cargo. It contributes more than 10% of our greenhouse gas emissions.”

She warned that Uganda’s dependence on imported, outdated petrol and diesel vehicles not only burdens the economy but also jeopardises public health and the environment.

To address this, Musenero revealed that an electric vehicle (EV) charging network is under development, with 30 DC fast chargers and more than 130 battery swapping stations already installed to promote the use of electric vehicles and motorcycles.

The government’s goal is to have 10,000 fast chargers by 2040, with a charging station every 50km and a swapping station every 2km, mainly targeting two-wheelers to enable uninterrupted long-distance travel.

Dr Peter Babyenda, IGE coordinator and lecturer at Makerere University’s School of Economics, said the programme had trained officials from key institutions, including the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Water and Environment, Kampala Capital City Authority, and the National Planning Authority. He thanked the Government of Sweden for its continued support.

Prof. Edward Bbaale, director of EfD and principal of the College of Business and Management Sciences, said the training equips civil servants with policy tools and economic strategies that support a green transition rooted in science, technology and innovation.

“Africa contributes less than 4% of global emissions yet suffers the greatest impacts of climate change,” Bbaale said. “Through policy scoping, peer learning and practical training, we equip government agents to lead change with an economic lens.”

Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi, acting deputy vice chancellor for academic affairs and representative of Makerere Vice Chancellor Prof Barnabas Nawangwe, noted that while technology can aid development, rising consumption and population growth are fuelling pollution and climate disruption.

Mukadasi urged Parliament to embrace e-mobility by providing electric vehicles to all newly elected MPs, as has previously been done with fuel-powered vehicles.

Maria Håkansson, Sweden’s Ambassador to Uganda, addressing participants during the graduation ceremony of the fourth cohort of the Inclusive Green Economy (IGE) Capacity Building Programme at the Kolping Hotel in Kampala. (Photo by John Odyek)

Maria Håkansson, Sweden’s Ambassador to Uganda, said e-mobility presents a viable alternative to fossil fuels by reducing emissions, improving air quality, and decreasing Uganda’s reliance on imported fuels.

“Sweden has been at the forefront of e-mobility innovation. We are committed to supporting Uganda as it advances on this journey,” Håkansson said.

Maria Håkansson (Fifth Left), Sweden’s Ambassador to Uganda, during the graduation ceremony of the fourth cohort of the Inclusive Green Economy (IGE) Capacity Building Programme at the Kolping Hotel in Kampala. (Photo by John Odyek)

Uganda’s National E-Mobility Strategy aims to position the country not only as a consumer but as a producer of e-mobility tools and solutions. The strategy targets a full transition to electric public transport and motorcycles by 2030 and to electric passenger vehicle sales by 2040. It seeks to promote value addition through localisation of the e-mobility value chain, boost domestic manufacturing, increase GDP contributions, and generate more than 500,000 green jobs by 2040.

To date, the sector has attracted over $160 million (sh574 billion) in investment and developed the capacity to produce up to 10,000 electric vehicles annually, with up to 40% local content.

In addition to economic benefits, e-mobility is expected to significantly cut air pollution, improving public health, particularly in urban areas.