I do not buy cars locally

When did you start driving?
I started driving in 1995.

Who taught you how to drive?
They were basically two people, one of them was my brother-in-law who was a mechanic and the other person was my brother. He was trading in cars and motor vehicle parts. When I completed university, he took me on to work in his business. So as a dealer in motor vehicles, it was a necessity that I learn how to drive.

How many cars have you owned?
My first car was a Nissan Sunny, then the Nissan Sahara, another Nissan Sahara, but a different model. I drove a Toyota Hilux; I bought another Toyota Hilux model 2005, a Volkswagen Golf. A Nissan pickup, another Nissan pickup. A Ford Ranger which I like so much, I have driven three BMWs, a Nissan Skyline and an Audi. Those are 13 cars.

Why do you buy brands such as BMW and Ford, among others?
These are cars meant for the European market. So their total comfort is much higher as compared to cars meant for the Japan or Asian markets. So that is why I always prefer Ford, BMW, VW, Audi and the rest. But even among the Japanese makes, there are some good brands such as the Nissan Skyline. The comfort is high and the fuel consumption is much improved. Generally, they are good brands.

You have mentioned some big names, how many of these do you have?
I have one BMW, my wife also has one. I have a Ford Ranger, 2008 model. I also have an Audi.
Why do you have all these cars?
In life, every man has an interest in something. For some, its money, others like women but in my case, its cars.

What’s the furthest you have ever driven the Ford Ranger?
When I had just imported it, I drove it all the way from Mombasa to Kampala because I could not give it to any other driver. Locally, I have gone to Bushenyi, Moroto. I have been to West Nile, specifically Maracha and recently I went to Kitgum. Normally when I make such trips, I come back within 24 hours I do not sleep over.

You talked about driving the Ford from Mombasa; does that mean you import all your cars?
Yes I do; I have never bought a car locally because I prefer making a choice out of many cars of the same type right from the source. For example, the BMW is an import from Germany, the Nissan Skyline was an import from Japan and the Ford is an import from the UK. I do not want to choose from what other people have imported.

Why?
There is a tendency of these importers changing parts. They even go to the point of changing the odometer reading. The other reason is that if I am looking at variety, I will be able to make a good choice.

How do you order for these cars?
For the BMWs, I ordered for them online. For the Ford, it was a combination. When I identified it online, I requested someone in London to go there and surveyed the car physically. When he told me it was okay, I paid for it and they shipped it.

Have you ever tried buying a car locally?
Yes, I have ever acquired a Nissan pickup, commonly known as a Nissan Sahara that was in 2005. I had looked for one within the bonds, but failed to get it. At that time, I was working in Jinja and among the new imports that were being driven into the country, I saw one. I followed it all the way from Jinja up to where it was going to be stored, that was at Kings Way Bond. I asked the driver who the owner was, he referred me to him. I negotiated the price immediately. The following day I deposited Shs5m because the total price was Shs12.5m; It was cleared and I was able to acquire it. That was the only car I have ever bought locally.

Which of your cars do you like the most?
The Ford Ranger. It’s a very good servant to me. Give it fuel and a good service, it will take you anywhere in the time you expect it to.

What is its speed limit?
220kms per hour but the fastest I have gone on Ugandan roads is 180kms. But when I was driving it from Mombasa, I went up to 210kms because their road infrastructure is better than the one we have here.

Why did you pick interest in importing cars?
My brother was importing vehicles so there was no way I was going to buy a car locally when I know it could be cheaper and of good quality if I import it. The other issue is that Uganda does not manufacture cars, so why should I buy a car from Uganda when I can get it from either the manufacturer or the supplier?

What is the most challenging issue you have faced while on the road?
I was once driving from Jinja and a boda boda cyclist just drove into the road so I knocked him. But when I got out to see what had happened, he was not there.
I think boda bodas are the worst ever challenge on the road for any motorists, then the taxi drivers who think they own the road. Plus bus drivers who use full lights. These emit 24 watts and this is much more than what I give out in my small car.
The other issue is that people do not respect road signs especially women. They drive with no care. They think that driving, slowly is good driving but that is not the case.

Do you share your cars?
Mainly with my wife and a few trusted people like the man who showed me the way to and fro Mombasa. The other person is one of my drivers. He is a man who takes command of the vehicle no matter the condition of the road.

Where do you take your cars for maintenance?
I buy service fluids and I take them to a service technician called Billy. Before they put anything in any of my cars, they have to do a diagnosis so that they can tell what exactly needs to be changed because servicing is not about changing the fluids. For the time I have been with Billy, I have never had any complaints. His garage has no name but it’s in Najjankumbi. For the Ford, at times I take it to Cooper Motors because they are the agents for Ford in Uganda.

How much do you spend on fuel on a daily basis?
I prefer to put a fulltank. So I just keep monitoring.

What is the highest you have ever spent on repairing a car?
My Ford Ranger is a direct inject diesel engine 3.0 turbo, dual talk engine. It’s very fast and stable. The highest I have ever spent on it is Shs3.2m when the clutch got worn out. More so, to cover up for unseen eventualities, I put this car on comprehensive cover because I use it for long distances.

What are your future plans?
I am planning on acquiring a Benz because I have been told its performance is very good and the thing about these brands is that the moment you start driving above 100kms, the tyres bend outwards so its stability on the ground is enhanced.