Before you buy Tata Prima Truck in Uganda

by Edwin

Tata decided to take a stab at the heavy duty segment and has come up with the Prima truck which will compete in the 40 tonnes segment with famous names like Scania, Volvo, Iveco and even Mercedes.
Tata plans to sell its heavy duty truck globally and not only in India and this is why it paid maximum attention in the developing process. The Tata Prima’s main objective is to combine strong performances with lower prices featuring strong engines and a generous load capacity. Tata claims that the Prima can cover 600 km with a single driver and 900 km with two drivers in a day.

Buying a foreign used Tata Prima Truck from a local Ugandan car bond

It is not a common incidence to find a Tata being sold in a car bond in Uganda. This is partly because Tata Prima trucks are not found in Japan meaning also that they are not imported from there. These a basically Indian made and in Uganda, second hand or foreign used cars and trucks are not imported from India.

Hence in case you need a Tata Prima which has been used before then its better you for one from the local market since most Tatas come in to the country brand new and they are cheap to buy brand new.

Click here to buy a Tata Prima Truck or Tata truck spare parts in Uganda

Importing a foreign Used Tata Prima Truck from Japan or other parts of the world

Buying a Tata Prima from abroad is very rear. This is basically because Tata trucks are brought in for you directly from India. A brand new Tata is a lot cheaper as compared to its competitors like the Fuso Mitsubishi, Isuzu Trucks, among others.

This means it’s a lot more cost effective to buy a brand new Tata Prima from the dealers here in Uganda than importing one yourself. However, should feel like importing one yourself, then it would require you to find a trusted dealer or seller in that regard, determine your specific car features and requirements, expected budget you plan to spend on buying the truck and well calculated taxes to be paid to the tax authorities in order to clear Tata Prima.

The taxes charged by the Uganda Revenue Authority include Import Duty, Value added (VAT), Withholding Tax, Environmental Levy, Infrastructure Levy, and Registration Fees basing on the CIF of the Tata Prima from Japan or any other country the Tata truck might be imported from.

On arrival to Kampala, Uganda, you will have to clear the taxes at The Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), apply and pay for a number plate and then the third party license. You may also notice that some of these charges or fees differ from other trucks.

Click here to buy a Tata Prima Truck or Tata truck spare parts in Uganda

General Tata Prima Truck reviews for Uganda

The design of the Prima: The Tata Prima has a pretty modern design with a cab over engine configuration. Though, the exterior build quality is far from being on the same line with the Europeans models and it’s also inferior to what you’ll find at the Japanese brands.

Despite its vertical front fascia, Tata’s engineers tried to make the truck as aerodynamic as possible and added roof and side air deflectors to keep the drag coefficient to as low as possible.

The front also received a massive black grille which gels great with the rest of the design and underlines the rugged character of the vehicle.

We also like the heavy duty bumper which is fitted with a small air intake and two modern looking headlights which give the truck a touch of dynamism.

The wind screed is almost as vertical as the bonnet, but its fairly big to offers a panoramic view of the road.


Looking at the Interior, access inside could prove to be a bit difficult as the scab sits pretty high from the ground. However, you can rely on the convenient footsteps with confidence and the grab handles are also smartly placed to ease you access inside.

Once on board, you’ll be welcomed by a nice and airy cabin which offers plenty of head- and leg-room for both the driver and passenger.

The dashboard design is pretty rudimentary and betrays the utilitarian character of the truck. Though, despite the relatively cheap plastics, the fittings are well done and everything seems ready to endure the punishment of heavy working conditions without whining.

We also like the instrument cluster, as it’s pretty modern and its huge gauges can be seen even form a mile away.

The seats however, aren’t the best you’ll find around and despite their wide range of adjustments it will be pretty hard to find a proper driving position. Luckily the steering wheel can be also adjusted for both reach and rake and will make your life easier.

Needless to say that the all-around visibility is nothing short of excellent and you’ll be glad to notice that the A pillars are pretty thin without affecting the visibility. The gargantuan door mirrors are also up to the task and will keep you well informed of what’s going on behind you.

Storage isn’t a problem either and the cabin is fitted with all sorts of useful consoles and cubby holes. Moreover, a separate storage found outside is reserved for cleaning the equipment, while another storage place has been earmarked for footwear which the driver can wear away from the cabin.

The sleeper cab is fitted with a pretty basic bunk which isn’t as comfortable as the ones from the European manufacturer but it’s able to offer a proper night sleep.

Click here to buy a Tata Prima Truck or Tata truck spare parts in Uganda

What about the ride and handling of the Prima? Well, The Tata Prima is fitted with semi elliptic multi spring and antiroll bars at both front and rear, while the cab has a 4 point suspension so the ride is pretty forgivable.

Though, the truck has a pretty big body roll when cornering, but there isn’t something to be worry about. The steering is also a bit light for or tastes and could’ve come with a better road feedback.

The stopping power is average, but the brake pedal has a healthy feel and inspires confidence. There is also a very capable engine break available which if fairly strong and offers adequate retarding power. The service brakes are combined with ABS brakes and ASR anti-slip offering maximum performances in any situations.

Availability of Tata Prima Truck parts in Uganda

Tata Prima spare parts are readily available in Uganda. Indians have these spares imported something that makes spare parts accessibility easy in Uganda.

Click here to buy a Tata Prima Truck or Tata truck spare parts in Uganda

Our Conclusion

The Tata Prima is a pretty good product. It’s true that it’s not as reliable as a Japanese truck but it has a satisfactory build quality and the cabin offers acres of space and a pretty good ergonomy.

The Cummins engines are also up to the task and you can rely on them with confidence in any situation; On the other hand the road manners aren’t as refined as its more upscale rivals and the ride comfort could’ve been better as well.

However, given its relatively small price, the Tata Prima is an interesting option and has anything it needs to make a compelling case for itself.

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