On Sunday, former Presidential Candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu aka Bobi Wine announced that his supporters had pooled resources together to gift him a brand new ‘bulletproof’ Toyota V8 Landcruiser.
In a post on Facebook, Bobi Wine said his supporters pooled resources because of the dangers he faced during the campaign period that saw him dodge teargas cannisters commando styles, and resort to wearing bullet proof vests.
“There is another group of comrades who kick-started a fundraising campaign for a bullet proof vehicle. These comrades informed me of their plan, but I thought it was an uphill task, given how expensive it is. A few weeks ago, these comrades surprised me when they informed me that they had succeeded in raising enough money for the vehicle, and here it is. I can’t THANK YOU enough,” Bobi Wine posted accompanied with a photo of the monster ride.
However, many have questioned how he was able to acquire the bulletproof machine if indeed it is, since it requires the country’s defence department to clear the same.
A bulletproof or armored car is a civilian vehicle with a reinforced structure that is designed to protect its occupants from assaults, bullets and blasts. Armored cars are typically manufactured with bulletproof glass and layers of armor plating, often with a variety of other defensive mechanisms and features to aid the individuals inside. Unlike military armored vehicles, a civilian armored car is designed to be inconspicuous and similar to its factory version.
According to reports online, in general, the cost of bulletproofing your car can range from $16,000 (Shs58m) upwards of $50,000 (Shs183m) plus the cost of the actual vehicle. A bulletproof car is far from cheap. You can expect to spend around $75,000 (Shs275m) to $100,000 (Shs360m) in total.
The Toyota Land Cruiser is equipped with a 5.7-liter V8 engine that produces 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel drive are standard. This big V8 has no problem hustling the Land Cruiser around town and up to highway speeds.
Bobi Wine’s 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser is a decent luxury large SUV and has a $85,415 (Shs313m) starting price.
If indeed it’s armored as he claims, INKAS ARMORED website provides in insight into the specifications of the car.
It describes it as unmistakably one of the de facto choices when it comes to armored vehicle purchasing, because of its comfortable interior combined with uncompromised performance and off-road capabilities.
Bobi Wine will join a short list of individuals with armored cars, if his claims are something to go by.