The First Man to Own a Car in Uganda and How Much He Bought It

In the early 1900s, transportation in Uganda was very different from what it is today. People mainly walked or used animals to move goods and travel long distances. But in 1908, something remarkable happened – the first car arrived in Uganda. This marked the beginning of a new chapter in the country’s history.

The first car brought to Uganda was a 1906 Albion. It was imported by Sir Hesketh Bell, who was the Governor of the Uganda Protectorate at the time. Sir Bell brought this car to make his work easier and to reduce the heavy reliance on human labor for carrying goods. The car was used for official duties, but on some days, it also served as a public transport vehicle between Entebbe and Kampala.

The car was sold for an estimated price of £475 at the time, a significant amount that reflected its value and importance.

People could ride the car for a fee. For example, a trip from Entebbe to Kampala cost Rs5, while a return trip cost Rs8. Cargo was charged Rs15 per tonne. This made the car not just a tool for the governor but also a service for the public.

The Albion had a powerful 16-horsepower engine and was very useful. It could carry both people and goods and made long journeys much faster. For instance, a journey that used to take six days on foot was completed in just seven hours by the car. This impressed many people, and it inspired Sir Bell to order more cars for the colony.

The arrival of the first car in Uganda was not just about luxury. It showed how technology could change the way people lived and worked. It also paved the way for Uganda’s automotive journey. Today, Uganda even has its own car-making company, Kiira Motors, which builds modern vehicles.