Nothing new at vintage car show

Now in its sixth year, the Vintage Auto show, happened last Saturday but with nothing new to offer.
Apart from the presence of Katikkiro Charles Peter Mayiga and the headliner of the show - musician Maddox Ssemanda Sematimba – there was nothing to takeaway, especially in terms of car presentations.
Sheraton Kampala Gardens was the venue climaxing the show that had started last Friday with a workshop in the far flung Kampala suburb of Naalya.

On Friday vintage cars, some of which were on carriers, snailed from Mogas Fuel Station in Naalya before making a roadshow on Kampala streets perhaps to announce the arrival of the show on Saturday.
This could have worked considering that by midday hundreds had already braved the mid-morning shower to make a grand entrance to the show that featured cars as old as 90 years.

Oldest car
One such car was a Ford Model T that organisers said was manufactured in 1927.
Beyond the cars there weres eats and fun activities. However, the eats were only available in the VIP tent with the rest of the revellers having to buy their own.

Selfies, as they are popularly known, were taken in plenty and there was sufficient supply of daring fashions that spiced up the otherwise chilly day.
Musician Maddox Sematimba cheered the crowd with ballads such Namagembe, Irene and Wowote, among others.
However, the flip side was the presentation of the same cars that were lined up last year. Some were appearing for at least the third time.

Others had been shipped in from Kenya and they seemed the only unique items.
Otherwise, for those who had been at the show last year, there was little or nothing to takeaway in terms of new car presentations.

The same cars such as the Mercedes Benz models of 1967 and 1986, Isuzu 1977, Wolseley 1973 and Volkswagen 1980, which were lined up for the day had been lined up in previous shows.
“This year’s show was just like the one of last year. There was nothing new. Same cars, same motorcycles. I doubt people who drove their cars from beyond Uganda, will drive them back for the next edition,” Isaac Busadhuli, one of the revellers who has attended at least two of the last Vintage Car shows, said.
Beside the low show of cars, a maroon Beetle seemed to have excited the Katikiro who wondered how the owner had been able to keep it in shape.
Wallace Walusimbi, the owner of a Toyota Corona model 1967 was rewarded as the best exhibitor and received 100 liters of fuel.

Fashion
On the fashion side of things, Brenda Maraka showcased her designs with models who were cheered on by the crowd on an improvised runway.
According to John B Niwagaba, the chairperson of the Uganda Vintage and Classic Auto Show, more 70 vintage and classic cars and 20 motorcycles were showcased.