Entebbe, Uganda – President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has unveiled a groundbreaking prototype all-terrain firefighting vehicle, dubbed the “Muliro Eater”, at State House Entebbe, marking a major milestone in Uganda’s innovation drive and emergency response capacity.
The revolutionary vehicle was presented to ambassadors from the United States, the European Union, and Russia, with the President highlighting its potential to transform firefighting efforts both locally and globally.
“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,” President Museveni said. “Drawing from my military experience and seeing wildfires devastate communities worldwide, I developed this idea for an armoured, all-terrain firefighting tank.”
The President explained that conventional aerial firefighting methods often prove inadequate. “Planes release only small amounts of water, which is insufficient to control large-scale wildfires,” he noted. “This vehicle provides a land-based, high-capacity solution to tackle fires effectively, even in remote or rugged terrain.”
Designed in collaboration with Marcé Industries and Specialized Concept, the Muliro Eater combines indigenous knowledge with advanced engineering. It is equipped with rubber tracks, a top speed of 60 km/h, and the ability to climb hills, navigate obstacles, and cross ditches—areas standard fire trucks cannot reach.
“In 2023, I met with Marcé Industries to propose this idea. They accepted the challenge, and after months of design and testing, this prototype was created based on my concept,” Museveni revealed. A locust spray prevention system was also added after further consultations.
Representatives from Marcé Industries confirmed the prototype was built at the company’s expense, with oversight from Uganda’s National Enterprise Corporation (NEC) and the Ministry of Works and Transport.
Jan Petrus Steyn of Marcé Industries described the project as a “pioneering collaboration blending Ugandan ingenuity with industrial expertise to address a global challenge.”
President Museveni emphasized that beyond enhancing Uganda’s emergency services, the Muliro Eater showcases African innovation to the world. “This is about philanthropy and business. I hope countries affected by wildfires will see its value and embrace this solution,” he said.
The unveiling was attended by senior Ugandan engineers, including Eng. Timothy Tibesigwa, Commissioner of Mechanical Engineering Services; Eng. Jacob Lumonya, Assistant Commissioner in charge of Equipment; and Eng. Nobert Ogwal, along with the Marcé Industries team from South Africa.