Museveni Launches Assembling Plant for Armoured Military Vehicles

President Yoweri Museveni and Commander-in-Chief of the Uganda Armed Forces on Wednesday 8/8/2018 officially launched an Armoured Vehicle Manufacturing and Assembly Plant in Maga Maga Army Barracks, near Jinja.

Museveni commissioned the facility which currently is producing the Nyoka armoured personnel carrier.
Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) contracted Impala Services and Logistics, sister company of South Africa’s Twiga Services and Logistics in 2012 to design a Mamba armoured vehicle for production in Uganda.

In 2012 the first two Nyokas were supplied for operational assessments. In 2013, Maga Maga facility began production under a transfer of technology programme.

Up to date, the Armoured Vehicle Facility at Maga Maga Barracks has produced 20 Nyoka Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs) and another ten are currently being produced.

According to Brigadier General Byanyima, the Commander of the Motorised Infantry, the facility intends to produce a further 13 Nyokas in the near future planned for use under United Nations missions.

Since the facility began, 42 techicians have been trained to assemble and manufacture the APCs. Under the Transfer of Skills and Technology Programme, Ugandan technicians have been trained in armour welding, pneumatics, auto-electrical and mechanical skills needed to carry out manufacture of armoured vehicle hulls and the complete assembly of the Nyoka armoured vehicles.

The armoured vehicle uses raw materials such as armour steel sources from Sweden and Mamba driveline engine, gearbox and axles remanufactured and Certified in South Africa.

The upgrades for Nyoka APCs to match the South African Buffel and Mamba in battle include;

• Ballistic protection equal to NATO STANAG Level 1.
• Shooting ports.
• A ballistically protected grill.
• Air conditioning.
• Three weapon positions on the roof.
• Pneumatically operated rear doors.
• An anti-roll bars.
• Improved braking system.
• Infrared illuminator.
• Improved lights among other mechanical improvements.

President Museveni while commissioning the facility directed the UPDF motorized infantry to consider overhaling and upgrading Nyoka APCs for integrated  industries in order for Uganda to manufacture complete products and eventually find market.

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