The innovative tricycle vehicle called Bingwa is set to bring transformative benefits to farmers and rural households in Uganda. Launched on October 9th, during the country’s 61st Independence Day celebrations in Kitgum district, The Bingwa Tricycle is a remarkable creation by a group of self-trained innovators, led by Rogers Mubiru from Kevoton Motions Engineering Ltd. It was produced at the Kiira Motors Vehicle Plant in Jinja, while its engine casting was completed at the John Lugendo Foundry in Kampala. The tricycle is expected to address critical needs in rural Uganda, offering a wide range of capabilities.
Bingwa’s Functionality
Bingwa tricycle is powered by a fuel-efficient 0.8-liter two-stroke engine, which provides a superior power-to-weight ratio compared to traditional four-stroke engines. This design ensures that it is both efficient and versatile, making it suitable for various tasks.
Dr. Monica Musenero, the Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, highlighted Bingwa’s features during a flag-off ceremony at the Kiira Motors Plant. The tricycle can transport up to 1,000 kilograms of goods, pump an impressive 6,000 liters of water per hour, and generate 6 kW of electricity every hour.
These capabilities directly address the urgent challenges faced by farmers and rural households in Uganda, where many lack access to essential services like irrigation and electricity.
Bingwa Project Support
The project received crucial financial support from the STI Secretariat under the Office of the President, which funded Kevoton Motions through the National Research and Innovation Program. Kiira Motors played a significant role by providing incubation support, helping turn the idea into reality.
The tricycle’s design is particularly tailored to meet the needs of Uganda’s rural population, which predominantly relies on agriculture. With 80% of the population engaged in farming, the lack of access to irrigation and electricity has been a significant barrier to improving agricultural productivity and living conditions. Dr. Musenero emphasized the potential for Bingwa to transform rural livelihoods, enhancing agricultural productivity and overall living conditions for the people of Uganda.
Rogers Mubiru, the founder and director at Kevoton Motions Engineering Ltd., has ambitious plans for Bingwa. He hopes to see 600 units deployed across various sub-counties, further improving household livelihoods and addressing critical rural challenges.
Local manufacturing plays a vital role in the Bingwa Tricycle project, with 55% of its components being locally produced. This aligns with Uganda’s efforts to promote localization and value addition in manufacturing, contributing to economic development and job creation.
The Cost of Bingwa trike
The Uganda Development Bank (UDB) allocated $250,000 to support project planning and production readiness, ensuring that Bingwa can effectively meet the needs of rural communities.
With a price tag of Shs 28 million, Bingwa offers more utility compared to purchasing separate tuk-tuks, water pumps, and power generators. The estimated market potential of 100,000 units in the medium term suggests that Bingwa has the potential to significantly contribute to Uganda’s economic development by improving the lives of rural households and farmers, promoting local manufacturing, and addressing pressing needs for water and electricity in these communities.