Uganda and Rwanda lead East Africa in switch to electric cars

Volkswagen’s e-Golf was launched in Kigali in October. Uganda and Rwanda have unveiled electric vehicle assembly plants. PHOTO | CYRIL NDEGEYA | NMG

Uganda and Rwanda are racing ahead of their East African neighbours in the global switch to electric motoring, even as infrastructure shortcomings limit investments in the emerging sector.

Both Kampala and Kigali have unveiled electric vehicle assembly plants in the past two months, blazing the regional trail with Kenya and Tanzania only making baby steps toward embracing the new technology.