In the chronicles of Uganda’s industrial development, few names shine as brightly—and as quietly—as that of Dr. Gordon Wavamunno. Widely known for his leadership in television broadcasting, bottled water, hospitality, and the prestigious Mercedes-Benz dealership Spear Motors, Dr. Wavamunno’s most enduring legacy may not be found in what he sold, but in what he built.
For decades, Spear Motors has been the go-to destination for Mercedes-Benz vehicles in Uganda. But beyond being a dealership, it has quietly operated as an informal university—an incubator of technical talent that has helped shape the country’s automotive industry.
Long before the Ugandan government began to champion vocational training as a pillar of national development, Dr. Wavamunno had already institutionalised technical excellence. Under his leadership, Spear Motors became a training ground where mechanics, engineers, and technicians honed their skills. Many of these professionals went on to establish their own garages and service stations, spreading knowledge and creating employment opportunities throughout the country.
This ripple effect has democratized access to German automotive quality in Uganda. Even those who never bought a car from Spear Motors have benefited. Countless independent garages across Kampala and upcountry towns are staffed by former Spear Motors trainees. Thanks to them, the comfort and reliability of Mercedes-Benz vehicles became attainable for the omuntu wa wansi—the ordinary citizen.
Personal stories affirm this impact. Many Ugandans who own second-hand Mercedes-Benz cars—never purchased from the dealership—rely on the skills and services of local technicians who were either directly trained at Spear Motors or influenced by its alumni. It is this silent revolution in vocational excellence that stands as Dr. Wavamunno’s greatest contribution.
While his honorary doctorate from Makerere University is a well-deserved recognition, it symbolizes more than status—it is a civic medal. It acknowledges a man who, through private enterprise, uplifted public capability. He didn’t merely provide jobs; he built careers. He didn’t just sell vehicles; he transferred world-class technical expertise. His service bays became lecture halls, and his dealership became a school without a chalkboard.
Too often, society reserves its gratitude for eulogies. But some honours must be given in life. Dr. Gordon Wavamunno is a living legend—a visionary who proves that when business is guided by purpose, it becomes a force for national transformation.
Thank you, Dr. Wavamunno. In building a dealership, you also built an institution of national value—one that continues to empower generations of skilled Ugandans.
