Business 25 March 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Jumbo Auto Mart Sales Chief Recalls Shs3m Toyota Mark II That Nearly Ended His Life
Joseph Komakech, chairperson of sales executives at Jumbo Auto Mart, shares the story of his first car, a Toyota Mark II bought for Shs3m, which taught him harsh lessons on Kampala's roads including a near-fatal crash with a truck. Despite fuel gauge woes and boda boda scratches, he cherishes its quiet power and durability. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/business/auto/my-first-car-cost-me-shs3m-but-it-almost-killed-me-5403120
Joseph Komakech, now leading sales executives at Jumbo Auto Mart in Kampala, bought his first car—a Toyota Mark II—for Shs3m in cash, with the balance of Shs5m paid in instalments. The seller needed quick funds, a detail Komakech later appreciated as the vehicle proved mechanically reliable despite its appearance.
He nicknamed it ‘Snake’ for its silent, gliding acceleration that caught others off guard. This stealthy performance earned him monikers like ‘Snake Driver’ and ‘Speed Merchant’ among peers.
Learning to drive without formal training, Komakech relied on instinct honed at car bonds and his motorcycle experience. His boldest test was a solo road trip to northern Uganda, building his road savvy.
Challenges included a faulty fuel gauge leading to an embarrassing roadside stall while dropping his child at school, forcing a boda boda fuel run. Kampala’s boda bodas left inevitable scratches on its tough body.
The scariest moment came in a near head-on collision with a Magulu kumi truck; he swerved off-road, surviving by inches and crediting it for teaching endurance and humility.
Komakech remains attached, praising its durable engine and performance. He’d reclaim it today, calling it a rite of passage amid Kampala’s chaos.
The Toyota Mark II, iconic in 1990s-2000s Uganda, was prized for reliability, quiet engine, and strong resale value, thriving on potholed streets.
Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)