UgandaToday: Spiro’s Double Charge?
Customers Decry Exorbitant Costs and Half-Charged Batteries in Uganda’s Flagship E-Mobility Project
By Uganda Today
When President Yoweri Museveni launched Spiro Uganda in July 2024, the promise was clear — a clean, affordable, and sustainable transport solution that would wean Ugandans off fossil fuels. But barely a year into its operations, cracks are appearing in that dream.
A growing number of riders have come forward alleging that the company’s sales and battery-swap model is burdening customers with hidden costs and unexplained double charges that defy the “affordable” spirit behind Uganda’s e-mobility vision.
The Hidden Cost Behind the “Hire Purchase”
Spiro Uganda markets its motorcycles on a hire purchase basis, where a willing customer makes an initial deposit of at least Shs 500,000. Upon signing a contract, the customer receives an electric motorcycle fitted with two rechargeable batteries.
On paper, the system sounds convenient — when one battery runs out, the rider simply visits a nearby Spiro Service Center for a fully charged replacement.
However, documents and complaints obtained by Uganda Today reveal that the total one-year cost of acquiring a motorcycle can climb up to Shs 10.8 million, almost double what is perceived to be the standard market price.
The extra charge reportedly arises from what customers call “ostensible battery fees” — additional payments that are not clearly explained during contract signing. Uganda Today Contacted Spiro Management but they declined to say anything regarding these alarming allegations.
Riders Cry Foul
Several riders who reached out to Uganda Today complained that the batteries they receive in exchange are often half-charged, forcing them to spend more time off the road and lose daily income.
“You return a fully drained battery, but the one they give you is never at 100%. Sometimes you even have to return after two hours for another swap,” one disgruntled rider shared.
Others allege that Spiro’s customer support remains evasive when asked to explain how the battery swap fees are calculated or why the total purchase cost nearly doubles.
“We love the idea of clean energy, but it looks like Spiro is exploiting our desperation to own a boda,” another rider lamented.
The Green Promise Meets Ground Reality. Spiro Uganda entered the market with significant government support, promising to deploy electric motorbikes, tuk-tuks, and a wide network of battery-swap stations across the country.
The company positioned itself as a partner in Uganda’s transition to renewable mobility, claiming to offer “affordable access to sustainable transport.”
However, the emerging complaints paint a different picture — one of opaque pricing, inconsistent service quality, and disillusioned customers who feel trapped in costly contracts they barely understand.
Industry Analysts Weigh In
According to energy analysts, Spiro’s pricing model may mirror the global e-mobility challenge — balancing affordability with the high cost of battery technology.
“Battery leasing models are tricky. If not well explained, they can turn sustainable transport into a financial trap,” said an industry observer.
Experts warn that without transparency and consumer protection, Uganda’s electric mobility revolution may risk alienating the very people it aims to empower.
A Call for Oversight
Consumer rights advocates are urging regulators — particularly the Electric Mobility Committee under the Ministry of Energy — to review and audit such pricing schemes to ensure fairness and transparency.
As Uganda Today continues to follow this developing story, questions linger:
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Are customers truly getting value for money?
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Who is monitoring these “green” contracts?
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And will Spiro’s model remain sustainable for both the business and the riders?
Until clearer answers emerge, the bright promise of electric motorcycles in Uganda may continue to dim behind the glow of charging stations.
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