Take a good look at that lime green hornet pictured above, because it may just herald the dawn of a new era in Ugandan transportation. Known as the Kiira EV, this plug-in was designed by students at Makerere University in Uganda, where electric cars, as you might imagine, are something of a rare commodity. In fact, local media outlets are heralding the Kiira as the first EV ever produced within the central African country, and it's not too shabby, either. On Tuesday, after nearly three years of development, the two-seater successfully completed its first test run, reaching a top speed of 65 kilometers per hour and nimbly making its way up a 55-degree incline. According to Paul Isaac Musasizi, who oversaw the project, the Kiira is capable of maxing out at a speed of 150 kilometers per hour, and can run for up to 80 kilometers on a single charge. Aside from its steering wheel and other accessories, every other component was designed and constructed domestically.

Perhaps more important than the Kiira EV's specs, however, is what it symbolizes for Uganda. "When we started the project, we wanted to demonstrate that Uganda has as good talent as that in the US or Germany," Musasizi told Uganda's Daily Monitor. "Now that this is over, we expect and want it to be taken up." It remains to be seen whether the Kiira actually enters production anytime soon, but Musasizi says his team is already working on a 28-seat EV for public transportation, underscoring their commitment to bringing green technology to their country. Hum past the break to see video of the momentous occasion, along with coverage from Uganda's NTV.

yeswecan:

Fine . . but why shame on Nigeria? there is no competition between Nigeria and Ugandan perhaps you exhibit the biggest problem with us; 'insecurity and pointless competition'.  You should be happy for Ugandan not angry with Nigeria.

F.Y.I there are Nigeria inventions that Uganda haven't got.  . .  GROW UP.

emofine:

Exactly. When a fellow African nation has achieved something worthy of applause it shouldn't be used as a cause to start lamenting Nigeria. You are taking away the shine from the people who deserve it - the Ugandans. You don't know what some of our youths are capable of or have already achieved even in our current condition. . .I'm impressed by the Ugandans involved but you really eclipsed their feat by adopting such title.

emofine:

Exactly. When a fellow African nation has achieved something worthy of applause it shouldn't be used as a cause to start lamenting Nigeria instead we should be inspired. You are taking away the shine from the people who deserve it - the Ugandans. You don't know what some of our youths are capable of or have already achieved even in our current condition. . .I'm impressed by the Ugandans involved but you really eclipsed their feat by adopting such title.

Pukkah:

I do not see anything wrong in what the OP did. What if the intention of his post was not to concentrate on what the Ugandans did but to call attention to the state of Nigeria's development? Is this a crime?

There's nothing wrong in commending or celebrating Uganda and I see no ill in doing a peer comparison between Nigeria and other countries (especially her contemporaries).  Let's not start cutting comfort zone for Nigeria please. This is not where the country should be.

texazzpete:

http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/04/college-students-unveil-the-kiira-ev-ugandas-first-electric-ca/
This is an electric vehicle, built by Ugandan college students with most of the parts designed and constructed locally.
[size=14pt]What are Nigerian Universities doing?[/size]

Duke007:

@poster,your attitude has taken the shine off these ugadans.FYI,Covenant university student designed&constructed an electric car earlier this year,sometime around July,and test drive from lagos to maiduguri at a top speed of 100km/hr.Please get your facts right b4 makg a post.Nigerian students are highly industrious and brillant.Covenant uni has already patented this invention&are taking steps to commercialize it.Google it to read more.I gues dat we stil remain giant of Africa!

Duke007:

@born2fuck,what a name!God didnt born u to f, k. U were wonderfully made to fulfill a purpose.Strive to know that purpose and fulfill it.Life is more than f, ck.Real don't go abt it like your name implies.Take dis as a Pastor's view.

Duke007:

@saxywale,visit www.tellng.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=291:a-covenant-of-inventions&Itemid=125

femmy2010:

Heard in the news yesterday that Ugandan college student were protesting cos Government has refused to pay their "meal allowance" for the past 3 months.
we certainly shouldn't expect less from student with filled stomach.

Natasha,,:

at poster nice but what's the shame about? don't you watch the science EXPO? don't you see what our little boys and girls do? I'm talking about primary and secondary school kids My own problem is why the government do not develop the children everything ends at the EXPO, Don't you watch young inventors? I see such things all the time done by little children, Don't you watch voyage of discovery? don't you see all the inventions our university students come up with? to that poster who said Nigerian students are useless trust me if you just have a glance of any of these programmes I mentioned you would eat your words big time and feel ashamed for what you just said.

Emmyk:

that's it!

texazzpete:

http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/04/college-students-unveil-the-kiira-ev-ugandas-first-electric-ca/


This is an electric vehicle, built by Ugandan college students with most of the parts designed and constructed locally.
What are Nigerian Universities doing?
Oh, I forgot that there is little or no research budget available for Nigerian Universities due to years of government neglect.

mhm:

The CU guys built the battery and not the car.