The story of Rolls-Royce ownership in Uganda stretches back more than 60 years. While sightings of the luxury marque are rare today, a handful of models have left a lasting mark on the country’s motoring history, from the royal fleet of Buganda Kingdom to modern SUVs owned by wealthy enthusiasts.
Among the most notable owners was the 35th Kabaka of Buganda and Uganda’s first post-independence President, Sir Edward Muteesa II. Historical records show that he owned four Rolls-Royce models: a 1936 Rolls-Royce III Series, a 1951 Silver Wraith, a 1962 Silver Cloud and a Phantom IV that was delivered to him in January 1965.
Today, the whereabouts of three of those vehicles remain unknown. The Phantom IV, however, survives as one of Uganda’s most significant automotive treasures.
The king’s Rolls-Royce
The Phantom IV returned to public attention in September 2020 when the government handed it back to Buganda Kingdom. It was later shipped to England for restoration and returned as a gift marking Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi’s 67th birthday in 2022.
According to Prince David Kintu Wasajja, who spearheaded the restoration effort, the vehicle now resides at the Buganda Kingdom palace in Mengo.
“After restoring the Rolls-Royce Phantom IV in England, it was returned to Uganda and is parked in the Buganda Kingdom palace at Mengo. It belongs to the Kabaka, and he uses it at his discretion, just like any other car in his fleet,” Wasajja says.
Manufactured in the 1950s and delivered to Muteesa II in 1965, the Phantom IV is one of the rarest Rolls-Royce models ever built. Restoring it reportedly cost about £300,000, funds largely raised through contributions from Buganda Kingdom well-wishers.
For Wasajja, the restoration was about more than preserving a vehicle.
“There was more to it than just the vehicle. It was restored in the spirit of preserving Buganda’s heritage,” he says.
When the restoration team inspected the car at the Uganda Museum, they found much of its original structure remarkably intact.
“Surprisingly, the engine still had oil. It was tested and was still as powerful as when it was manufactured. The chrome rims, front and rear bumpers and the grille were equally in good condition. Most of the work involved restoring the interior and dashboard, while the body mainly required repainting,” Wasajja recalls.
The vehicle was taken from the Buganda Kingdom palace during the 1966 attack on the palace by government forces under Milton Obote. How it eventually ended up in the Uganda Museum remains unclear.
Wasajja believes the appeal of classic Rolls-Royces lies in their timeless design.
“Vintage Rolls-Royce brands were engineered with basic technology. Almost all components were manually operated. Their beauty was in their elegance and durability. Road users would often give way simply because of their presence,” he says.
The Survivor
Another rare Rolls-Royce still residing in Uganda is a 1965 Silver Shadow owned by the daughter of a prominent businessman.
Powered by a 4.6-litre petrol engine and paired with a four-speed automatic transmission, the Silver Shadow remains one of her most cherished possessions.
“I have driven many cars and own a few, but I prefer the Silver Shadow because of its comfortable interior,” she says.
The car’s suspension and seating comfort continue to impress her despite its age.
“All the seats were made with soft springs underneath, so that when I drive over potholes or road bumps, I do not feel any discomfort. It is technology you do not find in many modern saloon cars manufactured after 2000,” she says.
The owner rarely drives the vehicle, often taking it out only once every two to four months. To keep it in good condition, she starts the engine every two days and allows it to idle so lubricants circulate throughout the engine.
Routine maintenance is carried out once or twice a year, costing between Shs1.5m and Shs2m, depending on the parts being replaced. Major components are sourced directly from the United Kingdom.
“I will keep it for as long as I can,” she says.
The modern era
While classic Rolls-Royces embody history and craftsmanship, newer models showcase the brand’s embrace of modern luxury and technology.
Moses Tayebwa (not his real name) owns a 2023 Rolls-Royce Cullinan, one of the most expensive and exclusive SUVs on Ugandan roads.
His fascination with the brand began while studying and working in Birmingham in the United Kingdom, during the early 2000s.
“The day I hitched a ride when a classmate was being picked from college after graduation, I fell in love with Rolls-Royce,” Tayebwa recalls.
Before acquiring the Cullinan in November 2025, he owned a 2014 Ghost Series II. He says the Cullinan’s higher ground clearance made it better suited to Ugandan conditions.
To him, comfort remains the vehicle’s greatest selling point.
“The comfort of the Cullinan is unequalled, especially among SUVs,” he says.
The luxury SUV is equipped with four individual bucket seats featuring massage functions and an advanced camera system that scans the road surface ahead. The system automatically adjusts ride settings and suspension height to improve comfort and help navigate uneven road surfaces.
“It is the most user-friendly feature I love about the Cullinan, given the condition of Kampala’s roads,” Tayebwa says.
He acknowledges that ownership comes at a cost. The vehicle’s large 6.7-litre engine consumes significant amounts of fuel, making it impractical as a daily driver.
Despite the expense, Tayebwa believes the experience justifies the investment.
For most Ugandans, Rolls-Royce vehicles remain a distant dream. Yet from the royal Phantom IV preserved at Mengo to a carefully maintained Silver Shadow and a modern Cullinan cruising Kampala’s streets, these rare automobiles continue to tell a unique story of luxury, history and prestige in Uganda.
Rolls-Royce models at a glance
Over more than a century, Rolls-Royce has produced some of the most recognisable luxury vehicles in automotive history, each reflecting the design language and engineering priorities of its era.
The Silver Ghost, introduced in the early 1900s, earned its reputation as ‘the best car in the world’ for its unmatched reliability and smooth performance, setting the foundation for the brand’s global prestige.
The Phantom series, launched in the 1920s and refined across generations, became the ultimate symbol of power and exclusivity, often reserved for royalty, heads of state and high-profile dignitaries. The Phantom IV, in particular, was built in extremely limited numbers for royal use only.
The Silver Cloud (1950s-1960s) marked a shift toward more refined comfort and modern styling while retaining traditional craftsmanship, making it one of the most elegant post-war Rolls-Royce models.
The Silver Shadow, introduced in the mid-1960s, was a technological leap forward with monocoque construction and improved ride comfort, bringing Rolls-Royce into a more modern driving era.
Today’s Cullinan SUV represents the brand’s evolution into contemporary luxury mobility, combining advanced technology with off-road capability while preserving the signature Rolls-Royce experience.