The Makerere Chogm BMWs are back on the road—this time as transport for VIP guests visiting Uganda’s oldest public university. On Monday, Makerere University unveiled five BMWs that once chauffeured dignitaries during the 2007 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (Chogm). These vehicles will now handle high-level protocol duties at the institution.
During the handover at Freedom Square, Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe expressed his appreciation. He thanked both the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Works and Transport. The ministries facilitated the allocation and transfer of the cars.
“These five limousines will ease the challenges our units face with protocol for important guests,” Prof. Nawangwe said. “We are grateful to the ministries for their support in making this possible.”
However, these cars carry more than luxury—they carry history. The Makerere Chogm BMWs were part of a high-end fleet bought for Chogm 2007. Uganda spent over Shs9 billion to acquire BMWs and Mercedes Benzes for visiting leaders.
That purchase quickly turned into scandal. Reports of inflated costs, irregular procurement, and financial mismanagement followed. The cars, meant to impress, became symbols of waste. After the summit, many were parked and forgotten in government lots—especially at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Over time, the vehicles deteriorated. Maintenance costs rose. Eventually, they became a burden. Makerere University saw a solution. It requested some of the idle fleet to support its VIP transport needs.
The Foreign Affairs ministry agreed—but with a condition. Makerere would handle all future repairs and maintenance. The university accepted, seeing an opportunity to repurpose dormant assets.
The result is a second life for the Makerere Chogm BMWs. Photos shared on Monday showed polished vehicles lined up at campus, ready for duty. For a university with global ambitions, these cars will help host guests in a dignified way.
Some see the move as smart. Makerere gains much-needed transport at no purchase cost. Others, however, recall the scandal. For them, the cars remain a reminder of past government excess.
Even so, university officials emphasize the positive. The vehicles will serve academic diplomacy. They will transport ambassadors, professors, and key officials who visit regularly.
The Makerere Chogm BMWs now symbolize more than protocol. They reflect a pragmatic shift—taking forgotten resources and putting them to work. While their origin remains controversial, their future could be useful and respectable.
As Makerere focuses on academic growth and international prestige, reliable VIP transport matters. These vehicles, once left to rust, may now play a role in shaping the university’s image. Whether viewed as practical or problematic, they are moving again—with a purpose.
