‘I taught myself how to drive’

Ahmed Bogere Masembe in his Toyota Alphard. PHOTO BY EDGAR R. BATTE

What you need to know:

Ahmed Bogere Masembe is chief executive officer, Suubi FM. He talked to Edgar R. Batte about his car, experiences while on the road and lessons learned.

What car do you drive?
Now I drive a 2004 Toyota Alphard.
Why did you choose to buy this particular car?
It is spacious, can accommodate my children and wife, and has luggage space.
What car were you driving before?
BMW X6 and a 2002 Land Cruiser Prado TX.
How do you compare the two?
Alphard is not a powerful car but more spacious.
Do you mind about fuel consumption?
Not at all, fuel is very cheap compared to the price of the car.
What was your first car?
A Toyota Carib.
How was your first driving experiences?
It was at home in Entebbe when I started the car. I had been told to wash it. I based on what I knew from experienced drivers, who frequented our home.
Where did you learn how to drive?
I taught myself everything about driving at home in Entebbe, and I would ask and read a lot about road signs and defensive driving.
Did you go for a driving test?
Oh yes. I found a very tough instructor who tested me through reverse parking, I came after four guys who had failed but when I completed my test, he said “gwe webale kuvuga bulungi”. I knew then I had my permit.
What is your dream car?
I think I have already lived my dream via cars, because I have driven most of the cars—from the Japanese to German cars, some people would refer to as dream cars.
Can you fix anything on your car?
I can almost fix everything on a car, apart from overhaul an engine.
Have you ever changed a tyre on your car?
No, because they are always well checked. I have not got problems, which require me to change a tyre, but I can ably do it. I grew up in a family where cars were being repaired from home, and I was always the “spanner boy”.
What has been your best driving experience?
When I drove a friend, James Oluka, a bank officer, to his village in Ngariam, Soroti, .
What has been your worst driving experience?
I drove a Mercedes Benz ML to my wife’s home village in Kalungu District. On my way back, the engine overheat and could not drive at more than 30kph. I kept stopping at any place that could provide water to refill the faulty radiator.
Have you taught anyone how to drive?
Yes, my wife and she is one of the best drivers on Kampala roads, but she always wants to be driven.