NRC Battle Heats Up as Ronald Sebuguzi Triumphs at UMC Fortportal Tourism City Rally 2024
By Mwambazi Lawrence
The UMC Fortportal City Rally 2024 delivered a thrilling spectacle that shifted the dynamics of the National Rally Championship (NRC) as Ronald Sebuguzi and co-driver Anthony Mugambwa seized victory last weekend. This triumph catapulted them to the second position on the NRC leaderboard with 203 points, igniting the competition as the season nears its climax.
Rally winners Ronald Sebuguzi and Anthony Mugambwa in their ford Fiesta proto.
Meanwhile, Dr. Moustapha Mukasa emerged as the new leader of the NRC after a resilient performance that saw him secure third place overall. Mukasa’s 45-point haul from Fortportal elevated him to the top of the leaderboard with 224 points, narrowly edging out Sebuguzi. Meanwhile, previous leader Jas Mangat, who failed to compete in Fortportal, saw his 200 points push him down to third place, intensifying the battle for the championship.
New NRC leaders Dr Moustapha Mukasa and Mwambazi Lawrence push their Mitsubishi Evo9 to the podium.
Day one of the Fortportal rally saw Joshua Muwanguzi in a commanding position, delivering the fastest times and seemingly on track for victory. However, fortune turned against him on the second day. Muwanguzi’s rally got a setback when he struck a rock, damaging his suspension and he lost the rally lead. This unforeseen setback allowed Sebuguzi and Mugambwa to capitalize on their competitors’ misfortune and secure the top spot.
The dynamic duo of Isaac Sozzi and Monica Birwinyo showcased their skill and tenacity, clinching a career-best second place on day two with their Subaru Impreza N8. Their performance marked a significant achievement in their rally careers, earning them their first podium finish.
The crew of Isaac Sozzi and Monica Birwinyo celebrate their maiden Career Podium finish.
In the 2WD category, Ibrahim Lubega continued his dominance, finishing fourth overall and extending his lead in the 2WD standings. Lubega now leads with 100 points, ahead of Edward Kirumira in second with 70 points, and Semambo Julious in third with 61 points. Samuel Watendwa rounds out the top four with 52 points.
The CRC category was marked by Musa Ssegaabwe and Mathias Kiyega’s impressive performance in their Mitsubishi Evo9. Despite only participating in 50% of the rally, their triumph and stage wins underscored their exceptional driving skills. Topher Katera, in a Subaru Impreza GC8, secured second place, while Kataza Haruna, despite early mechanical issues, managed to finish fourth.
Musa Ssegaabwe and Mathias were the crowd fevourites as they pushed their Evo9 to the CRC victory.
Ssegaabwe now leads the CRC standings with 92 points, followed by Haruna Kataza and Ahmed Senyonjo, who is in third place.
NRC Standings After 5 rounds
1.Dr Moustapha ukasa 225points
2. Ronald Ssebuguzi 203points
3.Jas Mangat 200points
4.Nasser Mutebi 141points
5. Jonas Kansime -136.5 Points
With only two rounds remaining on the calendar, the NRC championship is set for an exhilarating conclusion. The upcoming sixth round in Gulu, scheduled for October 11-13, promises to be a decisive event. As the top three contenders—Dr. Moustapha Mukasa, Ronald Sebuguzi, and Jas Mangat prepare for this crucial round, fans can expect an intense battle for the championship title.
The Fortportal rally has undeniably intensified the race, setting the stage for an action packed finish to the 2024 NRC season. As the competitors gear up for Gulu, all eyes will be on the rally to determine who will emerge as the ultimate champion.
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