Emcee's Chaotic First Drive: Crashed Toyota Raum into Tree Before Reaching Home

Twaha Mukisa, a professional emcee and editor at Nation Media Group Uganda, marked a milestone in 2011 by purchasing his first vehicle: a blue 1999 Toyota Raum with plate UAU 371N, costing around Shs16 million. The compact MPV was chosen for its affordability, low maintenance, fuel efficiency, and spacious boot, ideal for his family and late-night event travels from remote villages where transport was scarce.

His inaugural solo drive began disastrously at 5pm. Panicking while reversing from the bond, he navigated chaotic evening traffic on Clock Tower and Entebbe Road amid swarms of bodabodas. A minor bump occurred when the car ahead nudged his after a stop, but the real mishap unfolded en route to pick up his wife in Nkumba—he hit the accelerator instead of the brake, slamming into a tree. The car bounced toward a pork bar, but quick police intervention from a nearby post prevented escalation, with no injuries reported.

Despite the embarrassment, the car transformed Mukisa’s life, restoring his professional dignity—no more begging rides post-events in a suit. It drew respect, eased logistics, and proved financially savvy; sold after three years for Shs13 million, the proceeds funded land purchase and his first house. Challenges included family borrowing it and returning it fuel-less or scratched, plus a breakdown in heavy traffic where a stranger helped shift gears.

The Raum instilled discipline: early starts to beat jams, daily vehicle checks, and returning borrowed cars cleaner. Mukisa praised its reliability—a 1.5-litre engine yielding 13.8 km/L—and later bought another, though he’d now opt for larger vehicles as a primary car. Funny memories include kids hiding in the boot or a shy child urinating inside.

This story originally appeared in the Daily Monitor.