Youth and experience clash at 2025 Mbarara Rally

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As fans throng the Mbarara rally sections to cheer on their favourites at this year’s Federation of Motorsport Clubs in Uganda (FMU) NRC calendar opener, questions are already high on who the winner will be by the end of the three-day event on Saturday.

Though not a guarantee, it has always been the case that the most successful driver in this first event in Mbarara has gone on to win the national title.

Dubbed "Lumala@60mum@90 Mbarara Birthday Rally", in recognition of rally ace Moses Lumala, who will also take part as a guest driver in his newly acquired Ford Fiesta, the event features new and upgraded machines taking on the traditional ones.

The absence of defending champion, Jas Mangat, with his new monster Hyundai i20 leaves the stage for Yassin Nasser in a Ford Fiesta Nemo and Ronald Ssebuguzi in a Ford Fiesta Proto to battle against the Subaru and Mitsubishi drivers.

2020 Mbarara and NRC champion, Duncan Mubiru ‘Kikankane’, made a last-minute shift from a Ford Fiesta to his favourite Subaru GVB as he vies for a return to the podium.

Dundan Mubiru 'Kikankane' hopes to regain his winning touch in 2025 starting with the Mbarara rally. (Courtesy)

Mubiru joins the Subaru fighters in Ponsiano Lwakataka (Subaru Impreza N12B), Michael Mukula Jr (Subaru Impreza N14), and Ssentongo Kiggundu Nkima cruising a Subaru Impreza N10, among others.

Returning Yassin Mutebi leads the Mitsubishi class in his Evo 9, joined by homeboy Aine Sodo in an Evo X, Dr Mustapha Mukasa in a Mitsubishi Evo 9, Rasid Makumbi in a Mitsubishi Evo X, and Musa Ssegabwe in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX.

Looking at the event since 2006, Ponsiano Lwakataka has won the most titles (2007, 2010, 2013, and 2022) and will be looking for his 5th title, while Jas Mangat (2012, 2018, 2019, and 2024) will not take part. Duncan Mubiru ‘Kikankane’ (2014, 2015, and 2020) has 3.

Since 2010, only seven different drivers have managed to reach the podium: Lwakataka, Suzan Muwonge, Jas Mangat, Duncan Mubiru, Ronald Ssebuguzi, Omar Mayanja, and Yasin Nasser.

Apart from the top prize of the overall winner, there are also battles in the different categories the drivers are entered.

While Julius Ssemambo, Edward Kirumira, Rashid Makumbi, Ponsiano Lwakataka, Duncan Mubiru, Yasin Nasser, Nasser Mutebi, Dr Mustafa Mukasa, and Ronald Ssebugizi will be gunning for the best in the elite class premium category, there will be a battle for the best in the Division 1 category.

Michael Mukula Jr. leads this second category against other classy competitors Faisal Kayira, Dr Godfrey Nsereko, and Sadat Negomba.

The most interesting will be in the Clubman Rally Championship (CRC) category, where new kid on the block Kevin Bebeto is coming in for his first-ever national competition.

The 17-year-old, now upgrading to a Subaru Impreza N10 from his Toyota Runx, will, on his debut, battle it out against another newcomer, and only female, Doreen Asiimwe, alongside other contenders Ahmed Kateete, Ssentongo Kigundu, Walter Kibande, and homeboy Topher Kateera.