The Uganda National Rally Championship (NRC) As It Winds Down

The Uganda National Rally Championship (NRC) is nearing its end with only two rounds left with the penultimate round to be held in Gulu in October. The season has been full of ups and downs, exhilarating rally moments, and lots of surprises; with the return of drivers like Jon Consta, who had been on hiatus for a while, Nasser Mutebi becoming a staple in events, and Jas Mangat introducing his Hyundai i20 for a full season of competition to rally fans as well as a new cabinet for the Federation of Motorsport clubs Uganda (FMU).

Dr. Moustapha Mukasa is currently leading the NRC championship with 225.0 points. Photo Credit: Hussein Mulindwa.

The first round on the NRC calendar took place back in February (9-11) and was hosted by Mbarara Motor Club (MMC); the event was won by Jas Mangat co-driven by Enoch Olinga in their Hyundai i20. The i20 took the rally scene by storm and, Mangat has so far won three out of the five rounds in it. The Hyundai i20, the first of its kind on Ugandan soil, had rally fans who were looking forward to seeing the car in action excited and eager and Mangat did not disappoint. Jonas Kansiime co-driven by Ronald Bukenya came in second place in their Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8 and Ponsiano Lwakataka navigated by Paul Musaazi closed out the podium in their Subaru Impreza N12B.

Jas Mangat (left) and co-driver Jules Escartefigue (right), Mangat is ranking third in the standings with 200 points. Photo Credit: Innocent Mutaawe.

The second round was the SMC Challenge rally held in Masaka/Kaliisizo and was hosted by the Southern Motor Club (SMC) in April from 12-14; the event was won by Nasser Mutebi navigated by Steven Bunya in their Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9, that was Mutebi’s first win for the season. Jas Mangat had led the rally on the first day and as day two closed was well on his way to a podium finish but was excluded after reports of receiving outside assistance emerged according to event officials. Dr. Moustapha Mukasa (who is currently leading the NRC standings) placed second with co-driver Lawrence Mwambazi in their Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9. Mukasa has had a steady run this season and has maintained a top-five finish for most events and will be looking to take home a championship this season ceteris paribus. Jonas Kansiime and co-driver Ronald Bukenya closed the podium in third in their Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8.

Shell’s Ronald Ssebuguzi at a presser earlier this year, he is second on the championship standings with 203 points. Photo Credit: Hussein Mulindwa.

The third round, which also served as the beloved Pearl of Africa rally on the African Rally Championship (ARC) calendar, headed to Jinja from 10-12 May. Karan Patel navigated by Tauseef Khan won on the ARC side in their Skoda Fabia as Jas Mangat navigated by Laurent Magat finished second but won on the NRC front. Ronald Ssebuguzi navigated by Anthony Mugambwa came in second in their Ford Fiesta Proto, and Jon Consta Karumuna navigated by Aaron Nsamba closed the podium in their Subaru Impreza.

The EMC Moil Kyabazinga rally was the fourth round this season and was held in Jinja hosted by the Eastern Motor Club (EMC); it run from 12-14 July. The Moil-sponsored event was won by Jas Mangat navigated by Enoch Olinga in their i20, Dr. Mukasa Moustapha came in second navigated by Lawrence Mwambazi in their Evo 9 and Nasser Mutebi closed out the podium with co-driver Steven Bunya in their Evo 9. Mutebi is also one of the more aggressive rally drivers and is currently fourth on the standings, if his performance in the last two events is good, he could finish the season on the podium.

The UMC Fort Portal Tourism City was the fifth rally and was hosted by the Uganda Motor Club (UMC) in Fort Portal from 09-11 August. The event was won by Ronald Ssebuguzi, who is one of the staple and long-standing rally drivers in Uganda, with co-driver Anthony Mugambwa in their Ford Fiesta Proto. This was Ssebuguzi’s first season win. Issac Ssozi came in second (this was his first podium finish) navigated by Monica Birwinyo in their Subaru Impreza; this was the first podium finish by a female co-driver this season, a tremendous achievement by Monica. Dr. Moustapha Mukasa closed the podium with co-driver Lawrence Mwambazi.

The next round will be held later in October in Gulu but rally fans who love tourism can take part in the Africa Kwetu tour that is scheduled for September 04-07.

NRC Standings for Drivers-top 10 (After Five Rounds)