DREAM CAR: Top-of-the range Range Rover 2003, the model Maj. Gen. Kazini bought
Former Army Commander Major General James Kazini (above) may be a tough field commander but he also has refined tastes, report Grace Matsiko and Emmy Allio.
In his last days in office, he broke army rules on standardisation of equipment and logistics to acquire the latest version of a Range Rover with special escort vehicles at a cost of over sh400m.
The 32-valve V8 petrol engine top of the range car was delivered in May this year, along with two jeeps, bringing the total of the set to sh405, 380,000 including taxes, defence sources said.
The Range Rover alone cost about US$170,000 (about sh340m).
“The Army Commander (Kazini) flew to Britain to inspect the vehicle before shipment. The driver was then taken there to learn how to drive it,” the source added. Queen Elizabeth II unveiled the five-door Range Rover model last year.
The vehicle has 17 security features, a bullet-proof body, a finger-print memory for the driver, an automatic brake system for emergency situations, a dynamic stability control, electronic traction control, hill descent control, six airbags, inertia reel seat belts, side impact protection, remote central door locking with alarm and an electronic air suspension that enables it be raised or lowered.
Other specifications include automatic air conditioning for front and rear compartments, leather upholstery, electric windows and automatic dimming mirrors to defray reflections from the drivers sight, power steering, cruise control, electric sunroof, front fog lamps and fuel flap that can be remotely controlled.
It also has a heated windscreen with a rain sensor, park distance control and a global positioning system that can help the army headquarters to locate it wherever it is.
The vehicle has 11 hi-fi speakers, six compact disc autochanger and electronically adjustable seats with memory.
It is the only one of its kind in the country.
A certain Asian businessman is reported to have contacted Cooper Motor Corporation, the company that handled the UPDF shipment, for an order for a similar Range Rover.
“As part of the professionalisation of the army, there is a standardisation which means uniformity of equipment like same type of uniform from a single factory,” a source at the army headquarters in Bombo said.
“The standard vehicle for a general is a Toyota Prado valued at around sh80m. But Kazini broke the regulations and preferred a Range Rover, which has cost the army a fortune. The money it swallowed would have catered for soldiers’ welfare or would have helped to purchase vehicles for several army battalions,” another source said.
On being dropped as army commander, Kazini handed the keys of the high performance vehicle to his successor, Maj. Gen. Nyakairima Aronda, who now cruises in Kazini’s dream vehicle.
It is said Kazini developed the desire for a Range Rover after last year’s visit to Tanzania where he was driven in a similar car for Tanzania’s Chief of Defence Forces.
The arrival of the Range Rover dwarfed other vehicles including the one of the Defence Minister, Amama Mbabazi, a Land Cruiser. Analysts say the sophistication of the vehicle rivalled that of President Yoweri Museveni’s cross-country Benz.
The vehicle was on Friday driven out of Cooper Motors where it was taken for servicing and driven back to Bombo UPDF headquarters.
Kazini could not be contacted for a comment while Aronda was reported attending meetings.
Army spokesman Maj. Shaban Bantariza referred The New Vision to logistics department but officials there said the matter was “sensitive”. Ends
