KAMPALA, UGANDA — What was hailed as Uganda’s “clean transport revolution” is fast turning into a national controversy, as electric motorcycle riders allege that a government-backed e-mobility company is burdening customers with hidden costs.
A growing number of riders using Spiro Uganda’s electric motorcycles have come forward, alleging that the company’s sales and battery-swap model results in a total purchase cost that is nearly double the standard market price for traditional, fuel-powered motorcycles.
“We were duped,” one rider stated.
When President Yoweri Museveni launched Spiro Uganda in July 2024, the promise was golden: cheap, green, and smart transport for the ordinary rider. However, barely a year into operations, customers say the reality defies the “affordable” spirit behind Uganda’s e-mobility vision.
The Alleged Hidden Charges
Spiro markets its electric motorcycles on a hire purchase basis, requiring customers to make an initial deposit of at least 500,000 shillings. The customer receives a bike fitted with two rechargeable batteries and begins paying installments.
On paper, the system promises convenience: when one battery runs out, the rider simply visits a nearby Spiro Service Center for a fully charged replacement.
However, documents and complaints obtained reveal that the total one-year cost of acquiring a motorcycle can climb up to 10.8 million shillings. This figure is almost double what is generally perceived to be the standard market price for a new fuel motorcycle in Uganda.
The extra charge reportedly arises from what customers call “ostensible battery fees,” which are additional payments not clearly explained during the contract signing.
Half-Charged Batteries and Evasive Support
Beyond the total cost, riders have raised serious concerns about service quality. Several customers complained that the replacement batteries they receive are often half-charged, forcing them off the road and leading to lost daily income.
“You return a fully drained battery, but the one they give you is never at 100 percent,” one disgruntled rider shared. “Sometimes you even have to return after two hours for another swap.”
Another rider from Kireka was more forceful, stating, “You pay through the nose, but the battery you get is never full. You return a dead battery and they give you one at 40 percent.”
Other riders allege that Spiro’s customer support remains evasive when asked to explain how the battery swap fees are calculated or why the final purchase cost is so high.
“We love the idea of clean energy, but it looks like Spiro is exploiting our desperation to own a boda,” another rider lamented. “They told us the bikes were affordable, but it’s like signing a deal with a ghost.”
Energy analysts say Spiro’s woes mirror global struggles in the e-mobility sector. One industry observer warned that battery leasing arrangements, if not fully transparent, can easily become a financial trap for consumers.
Consumer protection advocates are now calling for the Ministry of Energy and the Electric Mobility Committee to step in and audit Spiro’s pricing model, arguing that riders are being exploited under the guise of “green transport.”
