In a country where the most popular car brand is a Toyota, concerns over the safety of Toyota cars are bound to cause anxiety thousands of miles away from where the incidents have been reported.

Last week, Toyota Motor Corporation, the world's leading automobile manufacturer and top seller in the United States, and the world's largest car manufacturer recalled over 4 million cars to fix faulty accelerator pedals.

Available information obtained from the internet as well as from local dealers in Toyota indicates that the affected brands are Toyota Camry and Toyota Corrola both popular brands in Europe and the US but also elsewhere in the world.

The mechanical problem results into an out of control acceleration that has caused fatal accidents in the US, UK among other affected markets.

Because of Toyota's global presence which means that problems happening thousands of miles away in the US could affect Ugandans as well, led The Sunrise to try to find out whether there might be any reason to worry.

However, additional information obtained by The Sunrise shows that the faulty cars are largely sold in the western markets which could help relieve many of those Ugandans who might have been worried of facing numerous accidents that have been reported because accelerator fails to stop which has led to fetal accidents.

Our investigations reveal that there is a significant degree of anxiety particularly among those working with Toyota Uganda and their affiliates who bring new cars.

While speaking to The Sunrise, the dealers expressed similar fear that has gripped their bosses in major markets - that the faulty pedals could cost their business far more than might have been anticipated.

One official from Toyota Uganda Ltd- the local franchise holder for the Japanese-based Toyota Motor Corporation told this reporter that they have received a memo from their headquarters not to comment on brands sold outside their regions of operation.

"According to an email we received from the headquarters in Japan, we are not authorized to comment on brands outside our region of operation" said an official from Toyota Uganda who preferred anonymity.

They however downplayed the possibility that any customers might be experiencing a malfunctioning pedal, because they said, the reported problems are mostly associated with brands that are sold in the US and European markets.

Another official remarked: "In such a challenging situation, it would be confusing to our clients to talk about a Toyota car model that they have never seen on the Ugandan market." He added: "The Toyota Camry driven in Uganda for example is very different in terms of features to those driven in America or Europe".

While that might provide a sigh of relief for Toyota lovers and the dealers that the Japanese car maker is not about to lose its dominant market position, On Wednesday Feb 3, Toyota South Africa, to which Toyota Uganda is closely affiliated, announced that up to 180,000 vehicles imported from the US to other regions like Africa, middle-east could be recalled. The company reportedly didn't specify the brands that were likely to be recalled.

The fact though that most Ugandans buy second-hand cars also presents a double edged sword.

As Toyota officials noted that the greatest danger now lies with people who buy cars over the internet or through agents that import second hand versions and from whom they can not be guaranteed after-sales service as their counterparts who buy new are enjoying.

The Japanese car maker has not only won favor among African presidents like Museveni who shifted from the Mercedes Benz to Toyota but has also become a leading brand among rich consumers in the US and Europe.

The recall is expected to cost the car maker US $ 1 bn which is aimed at facilitating a "quick fix" solution to a development that is anticipated to dent the car maker's hitherto impeccable reputation as an affordable and safe auto mobile.

Before the setback, Toyota, General Motors and Nissan in that order were considered as the most preferred car makers in American and European markets. Of recent the Toyota Vitz as marketed in Uganda was one of the most demanded cars in Europe for its low maintenance and fuel consumption rate. The Toyota Camry still remains a darling car for many European drivers.