Jas Mangat Leads Day 1 at Kabalega Hoima Rally 2024, Inches Closer to NRC Glory
By Mwambazi Lawrence
Jas Mangat and co-driver Enoch Olinga delivered a flawless performance on the opening day of the season finale, the Kabalega Hoima Rally 2024. Driving a Hyundai i20 R5, Mangat dominated the first four stages, winning three and posting a commanding time of 29:48.52. With just five stages remaining, Mangat is firmly positioned to clinch the 2024 Uganda National Rally Championship (NRC) title but his rivals are determined to turn this plot twist into a thriller.
Rally leader Jas Mangat and Enoch olinga during the Super special stage (Photo credit Kes studios int)
Behind him, the championship battle rages on. Ronald Ssebuguzi and Anthony Mugambwa, piloting a Ford Fiesta Proto, are breathing down Mangat’s neck with a time of 30:59.43. Refusing to back down, the seasoned crew is pulling out all the stops to keep their championship hopes alive.
Ronald Sebuguzi negotiates a corner during the super special stage (Photo credit Kes studios int)
Meanwhile in a performance that’s shaking up the usual order, Aine Sodo and Asuman Mohammed are enjoying a trouble-free run in their Mitsubishi Evo X, securing third place with a time of 32:50.98. Sodo’s consistency and speed have made him a standout on Day 1, and“If luck stays on my side, tomorrow could get even more interesting!” he said with a grin.
3rd placed Aine Sodo pushes his evoX in the superspecial stage (Photo credit Kes studios int)
Dr. Moustapha Mukasa, paired with new co-driver Geoffrey Serwoga, is rolling steady in fourth with 34:03.80. The good doctor’s strategy? Patience. “Rallying isn’t about speed; it’s about who gets to the finish line with their car still in one piece” Polepole ndiyo mwendo,” he said, winking at his mechanics. With no issues reported so far, the duo has vowed to attack harder on Day 2 to climb the leaderboard.
Joshua Muwanguzi and Hamza Lwanga, in their Subaru Impreza N12, currently lead the Subaru charge in fifth place with a time of 35:08.77, while Rashid Makumbi and Ronald Bukenya, driving a Mitsubishi Evo X, are in sixth, strategizing for a climb up the ranks tomorrow and Haruna Kataza codriven by Isaac Lumu are in 7th.
Adding to the excitement, New CRC champion Musa Ssegaabwe and co-driver Mathias Kiyega are cruising in 8th place, delivering a flawless performance in their Mitsubishi Evo 9. With a time of 37:00.24 the CRC champion is showing no signs of slowing down.
All eyes are on the young Omar brothers in 9th, Ali and Wazir, have turned the rally into their personal playground, piloting a Mitsubishi Evo 4 with the kind of swagger that makes seasoned drivers nervous. Their Stage 2 performance was legendary, clocking the second-fastest time behind Mangat. With a time of 37:05.54, the brothers are proving they’re the future of Ugandan rallying.
The omar brothers tackle the mud during the super special stage. (Photo credit Kes studios int)
Over in 2WD, Julius Semambo and Diana Nagawa are leading the pack in their trusty Toyota Sprinter, while Ibrahim Lubega trails in second and Timothy Gawaya in 3rd.
Division 2, however, had its fair share of drama. Didas Matsiko and Isaac Sozzi had a rough start, promising to return tomorrow for what they’re calling “Redemption Rally: Part 2.” Meanwhile, Peter Kalule and David Mwesigwa bowed out after breaking a rear hub, and Salim Gasemba retired his Toyota Vitz in Stage 2. Rumor has it Gasemba’s Vitz simply gave up and said, “I’m built for city potholes, not this madness!”
Tomorrow’s five stages, totaling 156.40 km, will determine the champion. Key stages include the Buseruka Stage (17.86 km), the technical Bugambe Stage (16.50 km), and the final Power Stage that will seal the championship.
By 1 PM tomorrow, Uganda will have its new National Rally Champion, with fans across the country eagerly awaiting the outcome of this thrilling battle.
Virtual NRC Standings
- Jas Mangat – 310 points (Destined for glory)
- Ronald Ssebuguzi – 302 points (Plotting a comeback)
- Dr. Moustapha Mukasa – 259 points (waiting to pounce)
Will Mangat hold on to the lead, or will tomorrow’s stages flip the script? One thing’s certain: Hoima’s dust hasn’t seen action like this in years. Stay tuned!
About The Author
