Ugandans are known for nicknaming everything be it the president, MPs, musicians or that girl-next-door. As for the cars, we have always found that unique or small attachment to describe a car in our local language. Here are some of the most common local car names and how they came about.
Mp’enkoni (Toyota Landcruiser V8)
Recently, this is the most talked about vehicle in the country. With a price tag of more than Shs450m, it’s mostly driven by loaded fellas and government officials. As the official presidential car, it’s of no surprise that the origin of its local name is attached to country’s number one citizen, President Yoweri Museveni. You remember his popular hit song ‘Another Rap’, with the phrase Mp’enkoni Mp’enkoni? Enkoni is a Runyankole word for a stick used by herdsmen. And as many of the people who can afford this car hail from the cattle keeping region and are seen on weekends heading to the west, the car was corrupted as one of the accessories of herdsmen.
Kampomedde (Toyota RAV4)
On arrival on the Ugandan market, the Toyota Rav4 (Short chassis) was mostly driven by women. This came with the myth that the cars were gifts from male lovers or husbands. As the myth became popular, the car became known as ‘Kampomedde”, a Luganda praise word that literally means, “She was sweet”. The car was perceived as a man’s present or payment for his woman’s sweetness.
Kawundo (Second generation Toyota Harrier)
This is the car of choice for anyone who has Shs40m and they want an easy to maintain SUV. Kawundo is Luganda for a bat and the car was named that because of the logo on the grill that resembles a bat.
Kigege (14 PSV Taxi Toyota ace)
Just like Kawundo, the popular taxi which was named Kigege has no resemblance with the tilapia fish which is the translation for ‘Kigege’. However, those who stretch the origin of the name are convinced that the vehicle’s front resembles the fish’s head. We thought this would make the car popular among fishermen but because it’s not a boat, it is the de facto vehicle for Uganda’s public service vans; the 14 seater omnibuses we call taxis or sometimes Kamunye (Eagle) because of their swiftness.
Nyongeza (Suzuki Carry)
This must be the tiniest truck you will ever find. Though it can carry loads heavier than a motor bike some jokingly say ‘I would rather ride a motorcycle than that’. With such sarcastic imaginations, it is of no wonder it was nicknamed ‘Nyongezza’ which translates as ‘bonus’. It is said that the car used to be given out as bonus to car importants after purchasing several vehicles.
Kibina (Toyota Corona)
It has one of the oldest car nicknames in the land. Its name Kibina (big bum) is derived from its raised big boot which is spacious enough to carry luggage.
Kikumi (Toyota Corolla AE100)
Its local name is so right and obvious. Given that its chassis number is AE 100, the locals were smart enough to just localise the name to ‘Kikumi. It was the most popular car on the market in the early 2000s.
Magulu kumi (Toyota Fuso)
It’s another vehicle named after its features. For easy memorising and differentiation of the Toyota Fuso from other big load trucks, locals decided to name it basing on the number of tyres it had (10) hence the name ‘magulu kumi’.
Bitama (Mitsubishi Pajero V60)
Bitama means big cheeks and with many generations of the Pajero around and Mitsubishi being a hard word to pronounce, locals decided to call it Bitama because the vehicle has big fenders that are said to resembling human cheeks.
Dudu (Toyota TownAce)
Dudu is a Swahili word that means “an insect”. When they arrived on the market, Toyota Town Aces were used as public service vans (eight sitters) and the name Dudu put them in their place as a way of differentiating them from the bigger Kigege (14-sitter Toyota Hiace).
