On behalf of the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Works and Transport, Eng. Dr. Timothy Tibesigwa officially launched and opened a Great Wall Motor (GWM) showroom and the debut of the Tank 500 flagship SUV in Uganda. GWM is a Chinese automobile manufacturer with Double Q that has been in the market for over a decade, supplying vehicles like Sino trucks and XCMG equipment that have played a crucial role in Uganda’s construction and infrastructure sectors —becoming their official distributor.
GWM produces and sells vehicles under several brands, including GWM, Haval, Wey, Tank, Poer, and Ora. The company’s Sales Manager, Steven Dumba confirmed to the press that the vehicles in those brands are available to purchase. They showcased the Tank 500, Tank 300, P-series, and Haval Jolion.
The event was held at the GWM showroom along Old Portbell Road marking an important step in expanding the accessibility of advanced-technological vehicle models in Uganda and supporting national infrastructure development goals.
Eng. Dr. Tibesigwa, while addressing the press, highlighted the role of GWM in providing brand-new vehicles and advocated for organizations and individuals to consider the benefits of purchasing brand-new vehicles, such as those being offered by GWM. “With all the features we have seen on these GWM cars, they position themselves to compete favorably,” he stated, pointing out the benefits of safety, cost efficiency, and innovative technology that GWM’s new fleet offers. “I’ve seen these vehicles have enhanced safety features and emissions technology, aligning with the government’s vision for a cleaner environment and modernizing its fleet.”
Government institutions and private enterprises are inclined to purchase new cars due to their durability, enhanced safety features, and environmentally friendly advancements, according to Eng. Dr. Tibesigwa. “The choice between new and used cars remains a significant decision for many Ugandans, but the benefits of new models extend beyond initial cost savings,” he explained.
He said buyers who go for used cars miss out on a brand-new car that is almost close to that same price. “The price gap between new and used vehicles is narrowing,” he stated, urging Ugandans to consider long-term investments in quality vehicles. He also appealed to the media to raise public awareness of the safety and environmental advantages of modern cars.
Mr. Steven Dumba, GWM’s Sales Manager said Ugandans are buying used cars over brand-new ones because of affordability and financing. According to Dumba, of the 40,000 cars bought annually by Ugandans, only 3,000 are brand-new ones. He advised buyers to opt for vehicle and asset financing schemes offered by banks to afford brand-new cars.
“Affordable pricing and financing schemes are key to maximizing accessibility,” Eng. Dr. Tibesigwa expounded on Dumba’s remarks — requesting Double Q to work with financial institutions to facilitate purchases. He said by reducing the financial strain of acquiring new vehicles, Double Q can help broaden the reach of modern automotive technology across diverse sectors.
Addressing the importance of after-sales service, Eng. Dr. Tibesigwa called Double Q, to ensure buyers have access to genuine spare parts and high-quality service, which are essential for safety and vehicle longevity. He stressed, “The availability of genuine parts is critical for performance and safety.”
Specification of the Tank 500;
The Tank 500 SUV is a successor to the Tank 300. Priced at USD$72,000 (approx. UGX265 million) the SUV is powered by a direct-inejection 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder petrol-electric engine, with a combined power output of 255kW and 648Nm of torque. It has enough performance to accelerate from 0-100km/h in 8.3 seconds.
It comes with a knight black exterior and the interior comes with a combination of knight black, princess white, crown gold, and majesty silver colors. In the interior, it has a heated eco-leather steering wheel, 8-way electric adjustable driver’s seat with memory assist and welcome seat function, 6-way electric adjustable passenger seat, heated seats, 12.3-inch instrument cluster, central console retro classic clock, 220V charging ports, active noise cancellation, cabin air cleaning system, air-conditioning fragrance.
The SUV has an automatic retractable side step that pulls out when you open the door and pushes in when you close the door.
The Tank 500 comes with intelligent driving assistance, a smart start and stop, and has 11 driving mode selections i.e. standard, sport, eco, snow, mud, sand, rock, auto all-terrain, expert, 4H, and 4L.
For the safest standards, the SUV has achieved a 5-star rating by ANCAP. The car comes with a comprehensive suite of active and passive safety systems designed to protect you and others on the road —these include intelligent adaptive cruise control, rear collision warning, etc.
Supporting a cleaner, greener Uganda with hybrid and electric cars
In line with Uganda’s push toward sustainable development, Eng. Dr. Tibesigwa encouraged GWM to support Uganda’s clean energy agenda. Hybrid and electric cars have great potential within Uganda’s automotive market —and some of GWM’s newly showcased cars; the Haval (hybrid), and Ora (electric) might be a breakthrough in the country’s automotive market.
With global trends pointing toward greener technology, Uganda is establishing regulatory frameworks that will guide the use of environmentally friendly (eco-friendly) vehicles. Eng. Dr. Tibesigwa assured GWM and Double Q that the government is ready to support their advancements, indicating a commitment to future dialogue and regulation aimed at encouraging more sustainable vehicle options.
The GWM launch in Uganda marks a milestone for the country’s automotive industry and reaffirms the government’s commitment to quality, sustainability, and economic growth. As the nation embraces new technologies and regulatory frameworks, events like the GWM launch are a future where Uganda’s automotive sector can thrive, catering to private and public needs while supporting the nation’s larger developmental goals.
