President Museveni Unveils “Muliro/Moto Eater” All-Terrain Firefighting Vehicle

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni yesterday unveiled Uganda’s prototype all-terrain firefighting vehicle, the “Muliro/Moto Eater,” to a diplomatic delegation from the embassies of the United States, the European Union, and Russia at State House, Entebbe.

The Muliro/Moto Eater is designed to access difficult terrains where traditional fire engines cannot operate, offering a groundbreaking solution to combating bushfires and other emergencies.

Reflecting on his past experiences, the President said, “As a man of war, I used to fight fires myself; we would put out fires using leafy branches and approach the fire from the back.” He explained that his military background and observations of devastating wildfires across the world inspired him to develop the concept of an armoured firefighting tank.

“I see wildfires as a significant problem in various parts of the world. In the USA, towns are often destroyed by wildfires, and similar situations have occurred in Greece, Australia, and Canada,” President Museveni noted. He added that aerial firefighting methods often fall short because planes release only limited amounts of water.

The President revealed that he first shared the idea with former U.S. Ambassador Deborah Malac, proposing a land-based cross-country vehicle with greater capacity than firefighting aircraft. In 2023, he presented the concept to Marcé Industries, which, in collaboration with Specialized Concept, accepted the challenge and developed a prototype. By December 2024, a Ugandan delegation had visited their factory to review the vehicle, leading to the addition of a locust spray prevention system.

The prototype, built at the companies’ own cost, is fitted with rubber tracks for both rugged terrain and standard roads. It can reach speeds of up to 60 km/h, climb hills, cross ditches, and navigate obstacles that traditional fire trucks cannot. It has since been verified by the National Enterprise Corporation (NEC) and the Ministry of Transport.

Marcé Industries’ Jan Petrus Steyn praised the collaboration, noting that the design combined advanced engineering with President Museveni’s unique vision rooted in both indigenous knowledge and combat experience.

During the unveiling, President Museveni described the Muliro/Moto Eater as a milestone in Uganda’s efforts to strengthen emergency response capabilities, while also showcasing Uganda’s potential to contribute innovative solutions to global challenges.

The ceremony was attended by senior officials, including Eng. Timothy Tibesigwa, Commissioner of Mechanical Engineering Services at the Ministry of Works and Transport; Eng. Jacob Lumonya, Assistant Commissioner in charge of Equipment; and Eng. Nobert Ogwal. The Marcé Industries delegation from South Africa included Jan Petrus Steyn, Sheila Nayebare, and Dick Muhwezi.