E-Bikes for Uganda
How Brian Jeremiah is Driving Change on Two Wheels
Even before his weltwärts year in 2019, one thing was clear: Brian’s heart belongs to bicycles. Driven by this passion, he specifically looked for a volunteer placement in the field and found his match at the organization "Westwind" in Hamburg. There, he repaired bikes for refugees and experienced firsthand the sense of freedom that comes with life on two wheels. When the COVID-19 pandemic shifted the nature of his assignment, he moved to EURIST (European Institute for Sustainable Transport), a partner organization of the Ugandan NGO FABIO (First African Bicycle Information Organization).
This connection became a turning point for his future. Upon returning to Uganda, Brian leveraged his network and immediately secured a position at FABIO in Jinja, where he now heads the Innovation Department. A central focus of his work is developing e-bikes specifically designed for African conditions—the first prototype was already completed in 2021. Since then, he has traveled to Kenya, Tanzania, Benin and Togo to share his expertise in bicycle manufacturing and repair.
For FABIO, the bicycle is much more than a vehicle—it is a strategic tool for social transformation. In Uganda’s Busoga sub-region, the organization uses affordable mobility to unlock access to education, healthcare, and markets for vulnerable groups. By positioning bicycles as a sustainable alternative to the motorcycles that dominate Uganda’s roads, they are driving both economic empowerment and public health.
However, Brian’s commitment goes far beyond the technical side. In Jinja, he and the FABIO team engage in political advocacy, meeting with decision-makers and organizing "Critical Mass" rides to claim more space for cyclists. His time in Germany and a trip to Copenhagen taught him how much infrastructure shapes daily life. While the bicycle is a respected, modern, and essential part of everyday culture in Europe, it often struggles with a lower social status in Uganda, where cars are still seen as the ultimate status symbol.
But the success of FABIO’s work is becoming visible: more and more bicycles are appearing on the streets, serving as taxis or cargo transports. "Cycling isn't just about health—it’s the most efficient, accessible, and affordable means of transport. It means independence," Brian emphasizes. Despite this progress, financial hurdles remain. Since many components must be imported, a bike costs around €680—too expensive for many. This is why Brian’s ultimate vision is local production in Uganda, making mobility truly affordable for everyone.
For Brian, the exchange in Germany was just the beginning of a journey that is now moving all of Uganda. Looking back, he highlights how much a person’s mindset contributes to the success of such an experience: "If you go in with a clear goal, the program is incredibly helpful. I can only encourage young people to seize this opportunity."
Brian even wrote a poem about his volunteer service, his personal growth and experiences:
Once a volunteer far from home,
Germany welcomed me, and I found new paths to roam.
With Westwind in Hamburg, with EURIST by my side,
I learned about bicycle repairs, public transport and electric rides.
Public transport taught me rhythm - the city’s steady beat,
Innovation became my system, where planning and skill meet.
Independence grew within me, a gift I now hold dear,
A lesson from that journey that guides me year after year.
Returning to Uganda, challenges came my way,
Expectations were way more than I could pay.
But honesty became my shield, openness in my song,
Studied harder, grew stronger, and proved I could belong.
Now Saturdays find me with youth at the church,
Crafts and design together, creativity our search.
Networks built abroad now blossom into aid,
Fundraising for projects, new connections made.
Germany gave me a new language, culture, and a view,
Copenhagen’s cycling spirit lit my passion anew.
Climate change became clearer, my habits rearranged,
Plastic bags set aside, my lifestyle changed.
And so I thank the German government for a program so profound,
It shaped my life with purpose, where hope and growth abound.
My story is of learning, resilience and grace,
Volunteerism’s power to transform time and place.