President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has unveiled Uganda’s first-ever all-terrain firefighting vehicle prototype, the “Muliro/Moto Eater,” in a landmark presentation at State House, Entebbe. The event was witnessed by a high-profile diplomatic delegation from the embassies of the United States of America, the European Union, and Russia.
The Muliro/Moto Eater represents a breakthrough in emergency response technology, designed to operate in rugged terrains where conventional fire engines cannot reach. Highlighting the inspiration behind the innovation, President Museveni recalled his own experiences in the bush.
“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 said.
He explained that his vision emerged from observing the devastating impact of wildfires globally and recognising the limitations of existing aerial firefighting methods.
“Planes release only small amounts of water, which is not enough to control large-scale incidents,” he noted, citing recurring wildfire disasters in the USA, Greece, Australia, and Canada. “As a philanthropist, I realised I needed to help. Several years ago, I informed former American Ambassador Malac about my proposal to design a cross-country land-based capacity vehicle that would be more effective than aircraft.”
In 2023, Museveni presented his concept to Marcé Industries, who partnered with Specialized Concept to bring the idea to life. According to Jan Petrus Steyn from Marcé Industries, the prototype was built entirely at their own cost and reviewed by a Ugandan delegation in December 2024, who recommended adding a locust spray prevention system to the design.
The resulting vehicle boasts unmatched off-road capabilities, able to travel at speeds of up to 60 km/h, climb hills, cross ditches, and operate on both rugged terrain and normal roads using rubber tracks. The National Enterprise Corporation (NEC) and the Ministry of Transport have already inspected and verified the prototype.
President Museveni described the unveiling as a “major step forward” in strengthening Uganda’s emergency services, while also positioning the country as a hub for technological innovation and humanitarian support. He emphasized that the Muliro/Moto Eater not only addresses Uganda’s bushfire challenges but could also support nations grappling with recurring wildfires.
The Launch was attended by senior Ugandan engineers, including Eng. Timothy Tibesigwa (Commissioner of Mechanical Engineering Services, Ministry of Works and Transport), Eng. Jacob Lumonya (Assistant Commissioner in charge of Equipment), and Eng. Nobert Ogwal, alongside Marcé Industries’ team comprising Jan Petrus Steyn, Sheila Nayebare, and Dick Muhwezi.
With the successful unveiling of the Muliro/Moto Eater, Uganda is positioning itself on the global stage as a pioneer of innovative firefighting solutions built to save lives, property, and the environment.
