Fortportal Set to Host Thrilling UMC Fortportal City Rally as Championship Heats Up
By Mwambazi Lawrence
Fortportal, Uganda The anticipation for the UMC Fortportal City Rally has reached fever pitch as the official launch took place today at the Silverton Gardens, Mengo Bulange. Scheduled for August 9th to 11th, this rally is the fifth round of the Uganda National Rally Championship (NRC) and promises a weekend of action across Fortportal and Kabarole.
Edison Mungyereza Being flagged off (Photo by Rob Styles)
The event will cover an impressive total distance of 201.59 kilometers, with 130.48 kilometers designated for competitive racing and the remaining 74.23 kilometers serving as liaison stages. As the championship nears its climax, this round will be pivotal in shaping the final standings.
The first day of the rally kicks off with the rocky Harugongo stage, a grueling 36.31 kilometers that will challenge competitors twice before they head to the Kyakaigo superspecial stage. This stage, spanning 3.12 kilometers, will see drivers compete head-to-head, providing fans with an electrifying spectacle of skill and speed. Crews will then retreat to the Kalya Courts for the overnight parc ferme, where they can catch their breath and prepare for the challenges of Day 2.
Day 2 will feature an intense lineup of five stages, each designed to test the limits of both drivers and their machines. The action begins with the 15.21-kilometer Mukwano Karmali stage, formerly known as the Rwenzori stage. Following this, crews will navigate the smooth 12.55-kilometer Sewava Kivumbi stage, previously the Mpanga Stage, and the 12.82-kilometer Segamu Consult stage.
The fourth stage, the 5.52-kilometer Outlook Uganda stage, will traverse the Kyakaigo arena. Notably, the first four stages of the day will be run without service intervals, pushing the endurance of both drivers and vehicles to the limit.
After the Outlook Uganda stage, teams will have a crucial service period to prepare for the final leg. The concluding segment will see a repeat of the Outlook Uganda stage, which will also serve as the event’s power stage, offering bonus points for top performers.
Championship Standings
As the competition heats up, Jas Mangat leads the championship with 200 points, closely followed by Dr. Moustapha Mukasa with 178 points. Ronald Sebuguzi sits in third place with 143 points. In the 2WD category, Ibrahim Lubega is leading with 74 points, while Edward Kirumira and Semambo Julius trail behind with 54 and 44 points respectively. In the CRC category, Musa Ssegaabwe continues to assert dominance, with Haruna Kataza and Odeon Tumwebaze rounding out the top three.
The Fortportal City Rally is set to provide a clearer picture of the 2024 NRC standings with only two more rounds remaining on the calendar. After this thrilling event, the championship will head to Gulu for the penultimate stage, organized by the Central Motor Club.
Rally fans can look forward to a weekend of breathtaking action and intense competition as the drivers battle it out for supremacy in what promises to be an unforgettable chapter in the 2024 Uganda National Rally Championship.
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