Share this article

Instead of carrying currency in their hands, passengers riding an electric bus made by Kiira Motors should utilize a new payment technology system called the pay go card.

Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja (left) and Science minister Dr Monica Museneo inspect electric bus during thes lunching of Kacyber go card at Kololo celebrations Grounds. (Photos by Francis Emorut). courtesy new vision

As per the statement made by Innocent Orikiiriza, the founder and CEO of KaCyber Technologies, this represents a significant achievement in the digitization and modernization of Uganda’s transport sector. It will facilitate public transit for both commuters and operators.

According to him, operators stand to gain significantly from this digital payment solution in terms of revenue tracking efficiency and the reduction of income leakages associated with entrusting conductors with the entire collection process. It also guarantees more revenue by getting rid of thievery and human error.

He claimed that Kiira Motors’ first 20 electric Kayoola buses, which are scheduled to run in Jinja and Kampala, will be the first to use the KaCyber Go Card. It is anticipated that eventually, use would spread to intercity buses, government ferries, commuter trains, and even taxis.

Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja (centre), science minister Dr Monica Musenero (third right) and the staff of Kyacber Technologies displaying Kyacber go card during its lunch at Kololo celebrations Grounds courtesy new vision.

He clarified that while the digital ticketing and payment system installed on the environmentally friendly Kayoola EVS electric buses is a first for Uganda and Africa, it is also a purposeful component of the government’s modernization initiative as detailed in the Digitalization Transformation RoadMap and Transport Masterplan.

Orikiiriza claimed that this innovative, digital, and contactless payment technology solution modifies and revitalizes Uganda’s transportation sector in a way that has been lacking for a long time for both bus operators and commuters.

He emphasized that the prepaid card prevents the frequently annoying altercations between customers and conductors when demanding transport balance and allows commuters to plan and manage their transportation expenses.

On November 11, during the National Science Week 2023 closing ceremony at Kololo Independence Grounds, Okirriza spoke.

He made note of the fact that KaCyber’s contactless card payment technology was created because of a grant of sh433 million from the Office of the President’s Science, Technology, and Innovation Secretariat. The grant was given as part of the 2022–2023 National Research and Innovation Call, which supported innovation to expedite value addition and industrialization.

How it functions

All that is required to pay the bus fare is to bring one’s card close to the machine, from which the fare will be immediately deducted. Every transaction shows the traveler exactly how much they have been charged by showing both the amount deducted and the balance on the card on the screen.

Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja displays Kacyber card used for boarding Kiira bus where you don’t need to pay money cash during the national sceince week at Kololo celebrations Grounds. courtesy new vision

One can load as much or as little money as they like from their bank account or mobile money to their KaCyber Go card to cover the transport fare.

Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja introduced the new technology.

She applauded the move, pointing out that it is now possible to use a tap and go card instead of cash to pay for rides on commuter buses, which is more convenient and intelligent.

Concerning KaCyber Go Card

The first contactless transport card in Uganda is called the KaCyber Go Card. It was developed by the transportation technology business KaCyber Technologies in collaboration with Kiira Motors and with assistance from the Ugandan government.

Working in unison with a ticketing validation mechanism mounted inside the bus at both entrances and exits, the card was piloted and tested during National Science Week on Kiira Motors’ Kayoola EVS electric buses.

A technician named Timothy Rwakahebu advised using a card payment system rather than carrying cash.

A teacher named Enid Kawala claimed that the use of pay cards, a recent technical innovation, eliminates the difficulty that passengers face when asking conductors for their balance.

Businesswoman Mary Nalwoge urged the transportation industry to implement the idea, stating that it is long time.