2024 Uganda National Rally Championship Season Review
By Mwambazi Lawrence
Well, folks, it’s time to wrap up the 2024 Uganda National Rally Championship (NRC), and what a ride it’s been! From jaw-dropping victories to hair-raising moments, this season had everything—think high-speed thrills, heart-stopping near misses, and enough drama to rival a reality TV show. It was like watching a movie, except the stars were covered in mud, racing through Ugandan terrain at breakneck speeds, and occasionally waving at the spectators like they were in a parade (with no time to stop for selfies). Whether it was drivers making heroic comebacks or some seriously questionable tire choices, the action never slowed down. So, grab your seatbelt, maybe a cold drink, and let’s take a wild ride through the 2024 NRC season packed with all the excitement, drama you didn’t know you needed!
The Mpu Mbarara City Rally (Mbarara)
The season kicked off in Mbarara with the MPU Mbarara City Rally, and it was clear from the start: Jas Mangat wasn’t just here to race; he was here to leave everyone in his dust. The guy was so fast, they had to put up speed limit signs just to slow him down. Mangat and navigator Enoch Olinga were practically a blur in their Hyundai i20, making it look easy even when it wasn’t.
But that didn’t stop Jonas Kansime and Ronald Bukenya from trying to keep up in their Evo 8. They did end up in second place, which is great, but we’re fairly certain they were looking at Mangat’s exhaust fumes and thinking, “Are we even in the same race?” Ponsiano Lwakataka rounded out the podium in third, looking confused as ever like he was trying to figure out how a car can be both faster and smarter than his own.
Dr. Moustapha Mukasa finished fourth, with a performance so smooth, you’d think he was driving on silk. But, spoiler alert: he wasn’t. Local hero Didas Matsiko took fifth, which we can only assume was a strategic move to make sure he still had time to wave at his fans on the sidelines. Priorities.
In the 2WD category, Edward Kirumira and Nabwami Shakirah grabbed the win in their Toyota Corolla. But, honestly, the real drama was Ibrahim Lubega and Samuel Watendwa fighting over second place like it was a slice of pizza. One second they were ahead, the next second poof! Lubega was one second ahead. Talk about cutting it close.
Meanwhile, in the Clubman category, Musa Segabwe and Mathias Kiyega were the undisputed kings. They absolutely owned it, driving their Evo 9 like they were on a victory lap. As for the rest? Well, they were just trying to figure out how to get their cars to not sound like they were about to collapse.
SMC Challenge Rally (Masaka)
Round 2 was a mess. Not the good kind of mess, either the kind that leaves your shoes soggy, your car covered in mud, and your pride completely drenched. Enter the SMC Challenge Rally in Masaka, where rain turned the rally stages into a slip-n-slide. Suddenly, the rally wasn’t about speed it was about surviving the mud like it was a wet obstacle course.
But then, the drama hit. Jas Mangat, looking like the Unstoppable Rally Machine in round 1, found himself in hot water after being disqualified for receiving outside assistance. Seriously? At this rate, it’s only a matter of time before rally drivers are disqualified for not having enough coffee in their system. Nasser Mutebi and Steven Bunya, in their Mitsubishi Evo 9, seized the opportunity to take the win. It wasn’t their best day ever, but it was their most victorious day so far.
Dr. Moustapha Mukasa, always one to capitalize on a gap, grabbed second place, proving he was no flash in the pan. And Jonas Kansime and Ronald Bukenya snuck in at third probably still wondering how to stop their Evo from thinking it was a submarine. In the 2WD category, Nsereko Godfrey and JB Musisi took home the win, despite accidentally taking a tour through a swamp. Edward Kirumira and Nabwami Shakirah finished second, still wondering how the roads got so soggy.
.Pearl Of Africa Uganda Rally (Jinja)
Round 3 was international and by that, I mean the Kenyan drivers decided to show up and show off. Enter Karan Patel, who might as well have been racing against an entirely different league. Patel was in his Skoda Fabia R5, and the rest of us were just… trying to figure out if we had enough petrol to finish the race.
Karan Patel won eight out of nine stages. The one stage he didn’t win? He probably just got distracted by a bird. Meanwhile, Jas Mangat finished second, his Hyundai i20 trailing not far behind, it probably had to stop and ask for directions. Poor guy. But Mangat still held the top spot in the NRC standings, which made it clear he wasn’t giving up that easily.
In third, we had Kenyan driver Hamza Anwar, who looked like he was having a great time just watching the Ugandans scramble behind him. Sebuguzi and Mugambwa were fourth, which honestly felt like the real victory considering they had to dodge potholes the size of small craters.
In the 2WD category, Ibrahim Lubega and Kanakulya Mustapha grabbed another win, proving their Toyota FX was capable of turning even the most treacherous stages into a victory lap—if only in their minds. And of course, Musa Segabwe and Mathias Kiyega were back at it in the Clubman category, winning yet again. Are they even trying anymore?
EMC Moil Kyabazinga Rally (Jinja)
Round 4 was supposed to be the one where everyone caught up to Mangat. Instead, Jas Mangat woke up, had his breakfast, and decided, “You know what? I’ll just win again.” And he did. Simple as that.
Dr. Moustapha Mukasa finished second, and at this point, it felt like a formality. It was like the warm-up before the real battle. Meanwhile, Nasser Mutebi and Steven Bunya took third, and we suspect they might have celebrated a little too early because when you’re in third, it’s like being the first loser.
The 2WD category continued to be a hot mess of tight competition, with Ibrahim Lubega and Mustapha Kanakulya winning yet again. I think we need to get these guys a trophy just for being so consistent. And, once more, Musa Segabwe and Mathias Kiyega ran away with the Clubman win, leaving everyone else to ponder the meaning of life.
.UMC Fortportal Tourism City Rally (Fortportal)
The UMC Fortportal Rally was where the drama really started heating up. Ronald Sebuguzi and Anthony Mugambwa claimed victory, and in a move that can only be described as “rally wizardry,” Isaac Sozzi and Monica Birwinyo secured their best career finish by magically avoiding everything that could go wrong. Dr. Moustapha Mukasa, in third, seemed to be channeling some inner frustration with his Evo 9, making it clear that the title race was officially on.
And then there’s Joshua Muwanguzi and Hamza Lwanga, if you want a slap in the face, just talk to them about this event. Honestly,t hey can still shed a tear when they remembers how they lost that rally. The poor guys were like the kid who spent all year building the perfect sandcastle, only for the tide to come in and wash it away right before the finish line. You could almost hear them muttering, “It was going so well… until it wasn’t.” But hey, that’s rallying sometimes you’re the hammer, sometimes you’re the nail.
Round 5 also brought the first real hint of a shake-up, with Sebuguzi and Mukasa moving to the top of the standings, At this point, the championship was so tight, even the wind seemed to be holding its breath. The race for the title was officially on..
CMC Gulu Independence Rally (Gulu)
Round 6 in Gulu had its fair share of drama, with Jas Mangat running the show once again this was the part where Dr. Moustapha Mukasa’s gearbox failed him and we’re not talking about some light “I need a new clutch” kind of failure. No, this was a “Whoops, my car’s basically a paperweight now” kind of failure. Meanwhile, Jas Mangat just kept doing his thing winning, cruising, making it look effortless. Sebuguzi hung on for second, proving that sometimes staying in the race is just about looking busy while Mangat wins everything in sight, while Mukasa slowly slid down the standings, clutching his “Best Sportsperson” award with pride.
In the 2WD category, Ibrahim Lubega and his trusty navigator, Geofrey Serwoga, went toe-to-toe with Samuel Watendwa, who clearly didn’t get the memo that Lubega was on a mission to claim victory. These two have been locked in an epic battle for so long, you’d think it was a rivalry for the ages, like Batman and the Joker, but with more mud and less crime. Watendwa wasn’t backing down, though he was right there, like a persistent fly at a picnic. Meanwhile, Edward Kirumira, in third place, had clearly figured out the secret to success: hire a legendary navigator. Robert Katabalwa, his co-driver, was the human version of Google Maps only with better hair and less drama. While Lubega and Watendwa duked it out, Kirumira was just there for the ride, probably thinking, “If these two want to fight, I’ll just take a nice, steady third.”
As usual, the CRC category had one story: Segabwe and Kiyega winning again. If this rally was a movie, they’d be the underdogs who never lose, and everyone else would be the extras who aren’t even sure why they showed up. The dynamic duo sealed the CRC championship in Gulu, likely laughing all the way to the podium. Meanwhile, Nassib Sesanga and Peter Brown finished second, looking thrilled, even though they were probably secretly Googling how to beat Segabwe next time. And then there was Kataza Haruna, who decided the rally wasn’t worth the stress and dropped out. This left the CRC category looking a little like a single-car parade. Segabwe and Kiyega were just out there, probably wondering, “Is this even a competition, or are we just here for the snacks?
Kabalega Hoima Rally ( Hoima)
And then came the grand finale at the Kabalega Hoima Rally. Jas Mangat, once again, snatched the title like it was his by birthright. The guy was unbeatable. Seriously, he might as well have been driving a rocket. we’re pretty sure he was ready to give a victory speech at every service park.
Sebuguzi and Mugambwa took second, happy to just be in the race, while Dr. Moustapha and Geofrey Serwoga rounded out the top three,
In the 2WD category, Julious Semambo, co-driven by Diana Nagawa, won and is slowly becoming a problem in the class. Ibrahim Lubega, in second, didn’t care much since he only needed a finish to seal the 2WD title. Meanwhile, Edward Kirumira took third, still pondering how to beat the big dogs maybe it’s a secret formula, or just a faster car?
And in the CRC, Musa Ssegabwe and Mathias Kiyega won without breaking a sweat, probably there just for the fun and snacks. Haruna Kataza and Isaac Lumu took second, knowing it was over but enjoying the ride. To wrap things up, Hajji Senyonjo and Sharif Muyanja, the two tallest guys in rallying, somehow fit into their Toyota Corolla, and the season ended with Mangat, Lubega, and Ssegabwe as the champs each making it look way too easy.
The 2024 NRC season was one for the history books if not for the record-breaking performances, then definitely for the sheer entertainment factor. Jas Mangat emerged victorious, but let’s not forget the real stars of the season: the mechanics, the fans, and those random rally gods who decided to send us off-road excursions just for kicks.
Until next season, let’s hope the only thing stuck next time is the car in the mud—and not the championship standings!
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