Buying a 4wd
Do you recommend buying a vehicle with independent front suspension for general driving in Uganda?
A 4wd vehicle with independent front suspension is more stable on tarmac or a good murram (dirt) road than one with a live axle beam. There in lies the only advantage.
Independent suspension is delicate compared to a live axle and is, therefore, easily damaged when travelling on pot-holed and bad Murram roads. The repairs are usually expensive. It also has a limited ability when using it in an extreme off-road situation.
Although the infrastructure in Uganda is improving, the majority of roads are still unsealed and poorly maintained. Some tarmac roads are still badly pot-holed. Therefore, the answer to the question is, what are you planning to do in Uganda? If you are just going to be around Kampala and go off on the occasional safari to a game park; then a carefully driven independent front suspension 4wd will suffice. On the other hand, if you want to be more adventurous and visit the more remote parts of the region then it is worth the investment having a vehicle with an axle beam suspension.
Do I need a 4wd vehicle for Uganda?
It depends on what you intend to do. If you are based in Kampala and only going on safari once a year then a two wheel drive vehicle will suffice. You can always hire out a 4wd. The main roads in Kampala are mostly tarmac although can be pot holed.
What you have to bear in mind is the driving standard in Kampala and Uganda as a whole is poor, to say the least. Therefore, if you are concerned about the safety of your occupants in the event of an accident then a large, strong 2wd (not many available) or 4wd is necessary. If you are intent on seeing as much of Uganda as you can during your stay then a 4wd is essential.
What is the most common 4wd vehicle in Uganda?
The answer to this question is market related based. Organisations and individuals alike go for price, availability and availability of spares at a good price. The market leader would have to be Toyota; followed by Nissan, Mitsubishi and Land Rover.
I am buying a vehicle in the UK to bring out to Uganda. Many of the vehicles I am looking at have ABS braking systems and are packed full of electronic hardware. Is it suitable in Uganda?
Before you buy a vehicle in the UK you should check up to see what servicing facilities are available for that make and model. Some main dealers are better than others with respect to the technology that they have available for servicing and repairing of modern vehicles with ABS, airbags and packed with electronic gadgets.
A lot of modern vehicles have not yet been "proven" in this environment and, therefore, the majority of manufacturers still have models with different specifications for different environments. This is worth checking up on.
What is most important feature to consider when buying a 4wd for this area?
Availability of a good spares and service back up is essential. What we have found is that a simple, robust vehicle with a live axle suspension system works well. Although, you lose some of the creature comforts of some of the more up-to-date models you will find that you will have less problems with wear and tear and service costs.
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