President Yoweri Museveni has introduced a prototype for an all-terrain, armored firefighting vehicle named the “Muliro,” also known as the “Moto Eater,” designed specifically to combat wildfires in remote and hard-to-access locations.
The unveiling took place at State House, Entebbe, with diplomats from the United States, European Union, and Russia in attendance.
This vehicle was developed in collaboration with South African firms Marcé Fire Fighting Technology and Specialized Concept. Built entirely at the companies’ expense, the design was inspired by a concept put forward by President Museveni himself.
The Muliro is engineered to operate in areas where traditional fire engines struggle to reach. It boasts rubber tracks, impressive speed, and integrated systems that address not only wildfires but also agricultural threats like locust infestations.
President Museveni shared that the idea came from his experience as a guerrilla fighter and his observations of wildfire devastation across the globe.
“As a man of war, I often fought fires manually using leafy branches and approaching the flames from behind,” he told the audience. “I have merged this indigenous knowledge with practical combat skills to create an armored vehicle that can serve not just Uganda, but the world at large.”
He pointed to catastrophic wildfires in countries like the United States, Canada, Australia, and Greece, highlighting the shortcomings of aerial firefighting.
“Planes drop only limited amounts of water, which are insufficient during large-scale emergencies,” he explained. “This is why a land-based solution with enhanced water capacity and greater mobility was necessary.”
The Muliro’s rugged design is optimized for off-road challenges, capable of reaching speeds up to 60 kilometers per hour while navigating hills, ditches, and other difficult terrain. Its rubber tracks enable it to traverse environments that would halt conventional fire trucks.
Later, a locust spray system was integrated, expanding the vehicle’s role to include agricultural crisis management. Uganda’s National Enterprise Corporation (NEC) and the Ministry of Works and Transport have inspected and endorsed the innovation.
The project began in 2023 when Museveni approached Marcé Industries with the initial concept. By December 2024, a Ugandan delegation including engineers from the Ministry of Works and Transport visited the South African factory to assess progress firsthand.
President Museveni framed the Muliro as part of a broader humanitarian mission, emphasizing Uganda’s commitment to sharing this technology with other nations facing similar environmental challenges.
