NATIONAL RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP HEADS EAST!
The thrill of the National Rally Championship (NRC) now shifts to Eastern Uganda for its fourth round, promising an adrenaline-filled weekend for motorsport enthusiasts!
Dubbed the Hon. Amos Lugoloobi Stabex EMC Rally, the event will roar into life from July 10th to 12th, navigating through the Jinja and Kayunga districts.
A First for Jinja: Night Stage Debuts
For the first time ever, the Jinja Rally will feature a night stage—a major highlight kicking off proceedings on Friday evening. A total of five stages will run that day, including a brand-new double Super Special Stage at Kitigoma in Jinja. All routes will be fully closed to public traffic to ensure safety and competitiveness.
However, Clubman Rally Championship competitors will not participate in the night stage.
The rally will continue on Saturday with five additional stages, bringing the total competitive distance to 154.46 kilometers across the two days.
Alwi Unleashes the Beast
Raising the excitement levels, driver Hassan Alwi has unveiled his newly acquired Ford Fiesta Proto and is set to debut the powerful machine at this event—an anticipated moment for fans and rivals alike.
Championship Battle Heats Up
Heading into Round 4, Ronald Sebuguzi leads the NRC standings with 142 points. He holds a 9.5-point lead over second-placed Musa Ssegaabwe (132.5 points), while Ponsiano Lwakataka is in third with 117 points.
Top 5 NRC Driver Standings
- Ronald Sebuguzi – 142 points
- Musa Ssegaabwe – 132.5 points
- Ponsiano Lwakataka – 117 points
- Duncan Mubiru – 115 points
- Didas Masiko – 112 points
Kenya’s Uncertainty, Uganda’s Opportunity?
With more Kenyan drivers now appearing in Uganda’s rally events, the vibrancy of the once-mighty Safari Rally seems to be fading. Recent tension surfaced when Ian Duncan, a legendary Safari Rally driver, publicly criticized the management of Kenya’s motorsport federation. Disillusioned by governance issues, many Kenyan competitors are now turning to rallycross and classic car events for more consistent competition.
Should Uganda Seize the Moment?
Uganda, already home to Africa’s largest rally fanbase, may be uniquely positioned to revitalize East African motorsport, once dominated by Kenya in the 1970s.
Raynold Kibira, Assistant Deputy Vice President of Motorsport in Uganda, sees potential in this shift:
“This is a good opportunity to raise the level of competition, with foreign crews acquiring Ugandan competition licenses,” he noted.
However, Kibira also expressed concern about commitment levels. For instance, Ethiopia’s Valeriy Stepanov, who acquired a Ugandan license in 2024, is yet to feature in any championship round.
Ugandan drivers, too, have ventured abroad over the years, including:
- Riyaz Kurji (Kenya National Rally Championship – early 2000s)
- Jas Mangat (Kenya – 2012)
- Yasin Nasser (Tanzania – 2023)
As Uganda prepares to host yet another thrilling rally, the stage is set not just for fierce competition but perhaps for a continental shift in motorsport influence.
