Kololo Independence Grounds turned into a car lover’s dream this weekend.
Engines roared and loud cheers were heard as smoke from screeching tyres filled the air. Deals were closed.
Uganda’s 5th NCBA Auto Show opened under a theme that mattered: ‘Safer Vehicles, Safer Roads, Safer Journeys.’
For three days, dealers, bankers and thousands of motorists mixed on one field.
The message was simple. Mobility must be both accessible and safe.
Julius Konyani, executive director of NCBA Bank Uganda, set the tone at the opening ceremony, describing mobility as a driver of growth for individuals and businesses alike.
He described the right financial solutions as tools that unlock new opportunity.
NCBA’s continued partnership with the show, he said, reflects that commitment.
His colleague, Adad Iraguha, Head of Asset Finance, explained why the show matters commercially.
According to Iraguha, the event brings together everyone interested in mobility.
That makes it the perfect stage for NCBA’s Asset Finance offering.
His team was on-site throughout, guiding buyers through financing options.
Indeed, NCBA’s Asset Finance product offers up to 90 percent financing.
It covers new and used vehicles at very competitive interest rates and flexible repayment periods, according to the officials.
The bank finances personal, commercial and fleet vehicles alike.
This kind of financing has quietly reshaped Uganda’s auto market.
Fewer buyers now need full cash upfront. Asset finance turns a distant dream into a manageable monthly plan. It lets small businesses expand fleets without draining working capital.
Safety as paramount
Safety was not an afterthought at this year’s show.
The Ministry of Works and Transport co-hosted the safety conversation.
Minister Fred Byamukama’s speech, delivered by Senior Road Safety Officer James Katunguka, made that clear.
He called the show a platform for road safety and responsible mobility. He said every road user carries responsibility. Drivers, passengers, pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists all share it.
Modern manufacturers are answering that call too.
Exhibitors displayed electric vehicles alongside luxury cars and vintage classics.
Many featured new safety technology as standard, not optional.
That shift matters. Safer engineering now competes with comfort and style for attention. Buyers increasingly expect both.
Edgar Tusiime, Head of Marketing at NCBA, framed the bigger picture.
He said the show is more than an exhibition.
It is where innovation, lifestyle and financial empowerment meet.
He described NCBA’s role as helping customers chase their ambitions through smart financing.
In general, it is easy to see why the auto show has become a hit in recent years.
NCBA Bank gets access to a highly motivated audience.
Vehicle lovers already thinking about buying vehicles, get the information they need.
That is valuable data and valuable business. Dealers gain speed too.
On-site financing shortens the gap between interest and purchase.
Motorists gain the most in practical terms. They compare cars and financing side by side.
They avoid the runaround of separate loan applications. They also learn, through safety demonstrations, how to protect themselves on the road.
The three-day event, held from July 17 to 19, closed with more than sold units.
It left a clearer picture of where Uganda’s roads are headed. Safer cars. Smarter financing. More informed drivers.
That combination, organisers hope, will outlast the weekend.
As Uganda’s roads grow busier, shows like this one may prove essential. They connect ambition with the means to achieve it safely.
