Duncan Mubiru Scores First Season Win of the NRC’s Fifth Round at the Bwera Bistro SMC Rally, Greater Masaka

The fifth round of the National Rally Championship ended on Sunday, August 7, 2022 in the Sembabule district sections; and last year’s National Rally Champion, Duncan Mubiru aka Kikankane put on a great performance and came out on top. The event run from Masaka areas, there was a circuit at Kako, then moved to Sembabule.

Duncan Mubiru facing off with Ronald Ssebuguzi at the circuit round in Kako, both in Ford Fiesta protos. Photo credit: Innocent Mutaawe.

Duncan Mubiru and co-driver Musa Nsubuga in their Ford Fiesta proto won the rally in a total time of 1:30:52:89 in a total competitive distance of 152.5km. This was Mubiru’s first win this season after experiencing technical difficulties in previous rally events. The team really put on a great performance throughout the rally and had their dedicated fans cheering them on from the sidelines. Mubiru won two of the stages; CS7 & CS8; the sections were run on Sunday and these gave him a steady pace for the win.

Three time National Rally Champion, Ronald Ssebuguzi and co-driver Anthony Mugambwa came in second place in their Ford Fiesta proto; they did a time of 1:32:22:94. There was a time difference of 0:01:30:05 between Ssebuguzi and Mubiru. Ssebuguzi put on a stunning performance and gave fans a show, completing the event in a great performance. The team won three stages in the event; CS3, CS4, & CS9. They had the most stage wins out of everyone else.

Shell’s Ronald Ssebuguzi in his Ford Fiesta proto at Kako.

Current NRC leader, Ponsiano Lwakataka and co-driver Paul Musaazi came in third place at a time of 1:32:47:79. There was a very slim difference between Lwakataka and Ssebuguzi of 0:00:24:85. Ponsiano won two stages; CS5 & CS6 despite suffering some mechanical difficulties in the rally. The driver who was excited to be driving on home grounds secured a podium finish which helps him extend his lead on the standings and keep his first place.

In fourth place was Jonas Kansiime Matayo and co-driver Ivan Tushabe in their Mitsubishi Lancer Evo8 with atime of 1:32:55:58. They were on Lwakataka’s tail falling behind by seven seconds and seventy nine micro seconds to take third place, they keep getting better through events. Byron Rugomoka and co-driver Hakim Mawanda closed out the top five in a Mitsubishi Lancer EvoX with a time of 1:33:00:86. Rugomoka won the CS2 and also keeps getting better with each event.

A rising star in his own right, Mark Lubega came in sixth place with co-driver Daniel Mbabazi in their Subaru Impreza. They completed the rally and have fans cheering them on in every section.

Ibrahim Lubega nick name “Pasuwa” won the 2WD category with co-driver Shakira Nabwami as Oscar Ntambi unfortunately suffered mechanical difficulties in the very last section making him retire, he can still defend the number one position in upcoming events. The CRC category was won by Muhammad Bwete and co-driver Mathias Kiyaga.

Thirty-one cars was the total entry of cars but Hassan Alwi Jr. and Dr. Henry Maseruka did not take part in the rally; Ahmed Mayinja was disqualified from the event after an alteracation which left twenty-eight competitors. Jas Mangat and navigator Joseph Kamya’s car failed in the section section but they did win the first section of the day on Saturday. At the end of the event, eighteen crews are the only ones that finished. The next event on the NRC calendar is scheduled for early September in Kasanda, Mityana organized by Central Motor Club (CMC).

Final Results of the Bwera Bistro Rally (finishers).