A Sneak Peek into the 2025 Uganda National Rally Season-Part 2
By Mwambazi Lawrence
As we zip into the 2025 Uganda National Rally Championship, the excitement is so thick, you could almost choke on it. Before we get into the real rally action, let’s talk about a little bit of bad news. Brace yourselves, folks: the competition license fees have been increased for 2025. Not exactly the news every competitor wanted to hear, but what can you do? Rallying isn’t cheap nothing says “champion” like an empty wallet. But who are we kidding? “Tetwagala manya!” (We don’t care, we’re still racing!). It’s not like any rally driver would let a small thing like fees stop them from chasing glory.
Then the turbo restrictor is now set at 34mm instead of 33mm. Yes, you heard that right 34. Translation: more turbo, more power, and possibly more incidents of “I just wanted to drive, not fly.” The change is meant to close the performance gap between R5 cars and Group N cars, but one thing’s for sure: it’s going to be a thrilling season where speed is the only thing you can count on, aside from maybe a couple of unexpected tire blowouts.
The 2024 champion, Jas Mangat, is sticking around to defend his crown for 2025, and he’s doing it with the same approach as last year: learning his car. If you missed it, Jas actually spent most of the 2024 season “getting used to his car.” Seriously. This is like a guy who’s been driving a car for a decade and still doesn’t know which button turns on the radio. But somehow, he still managed to wipe the floor with the competition and snatch the 2024 title. “Ono amanyira!” (This guy’s a legend!) We’re not complaining, though. Keep doing your thing Jas whatever that is.
Now see this one Umar Dauda, the man, the myth, the drift machine, is back and this time, he’s bringing a Mitsubishi Evo X into the mix. If you were at the Champions Sprint, you saw what he can do with a car that’s more sideways than straight. It’s not so much driving as it is performing an intricate dance with the road. Thanks to fan donations for a new drivetrain (yes, fans literally funded his comeback), Umar is about to turn the rally world upside down again. I’m not saying there’s going to be blood, but there will definitely be plenty of “OMG he has done it again”.
Byron Rugomoka, the 2022 National Rally Champion, is back for a full season, and he’s bringing his ever-so-crazy codriver, Hakim Mawanda, with him in their Mitsubishi Evo X. Byron doesn’t do “second place.” This guy is the definition of aggressive like a lion in a room full of lambs. He’ll be looking for that first place again, and honestly, we’re all just here for the action. You might want to take notes because it’s going to be a thriller.
Mike Mukula Jr., who’s been doing the “selected events” thing for a while, is back for a full season in 2025. And when we say full season, we mean FULL. Not only will he be taking on the NRC, but he’s also eyeing the ARC. His Subaru Impreza N14? Let’s just say it’s got more bite than a pit bull. Mukula is fast, lethal, and, as Mark Lubega would tell you, absolutely terrifying to race against. Better buckle up, boys.
Kuku Ranjit is back in action, ready to take on a full season after dabbling in the Pearl of Africa Rally and Sisa Autocross events in 2024. His Mitsubishi Evo 9 is looking cleaner than my mom’s kitchen, and trust me, that’s saying something. Kuku is a calculated driver, the kind of guy who doesn’t panic even when he’s flying sideways through a corner. With him in the mix, expect some serious heat in the competition. The only thing cooler than his driving might be the guy’s hair dude’s got style.
Isaac Sozzi is up to something… but what? Sozzi, AKA Bisanilizo, is keeping his cards close to his chest. But let’s be real – there’s always something cooking in that guy’s garage. What’s the surprise? Well, let’s just say you’ll have to wait, but at least we’re only a few days away from the season opener in Mbarara. By then, we’ll all know if Sozzi has pulled a rabbit out of his hat or just a new turbocharger.
Now, let’s talk about the CRC Championship. In 2025, this class is going to be lit. All these drivers are coming in with cars that are nearly identical, and if there’s one thing we know about rallying, it’s that it’s the driver that makes the difference. And oh boy, do we have some drivers ready to make waves.
Robert “Nkima” Kigundu is here to prove that the Subaru N10 is not just a car it’s a weapon. His handling skills? Immaculate. His car? It practically follows his commands like a well-trained dog. He’s already made his mark at the Champions Sprint qnd autocross events, if you think he’s slowing down in 2025, think again. He’s in it to win it, and no one’s taking that CRC podium away from him easily.
This little guy Kevin Bebeto is the future of rallying. After upgrading from a Toyota Runx (yes, you read that right, a Toyota Runx bless his heart) to a Subaru N10, he’s coming for blood. His car’s a beast, and he’s a prodigy behind the wheel. Don’t be surprised if he leaves the veterans in the dust. The only question is, can his CRC competition stop him? Spoiler alert: Probably not.
Walter Kibande’s decided to join the CRC in a Subaru GC8, and if we’re being honest, this guy’s a bit of a wild card. He’s got that street racer mentality, which, let’s face it, makes every stage feel like an adrenaline-charged roller coaster. But here’s the thing: rallying is about control. We’re hoping he figures that part out before the 2025 season ends. Otherwise, it’s going to be a very interesting ride for him and for us.
Lastly, there’s Denis Bahizi. After a full year of steering a Subaru GC8, he’s quietly rebuilding a Subaru Impreza N12 for 2025. No big speeches, no big announcements just a guy and his car, doing their thing. We’ll see if the Impreza N12 is as deadly as he’s been promising. It’s a quiet storm, and sometimes those are the most dangerous.
2024 is Gone, but 2025 is Coming
2024, you were a wild ride, but now it’s time to say goodbye and get ready for 2025! The rally season is revving up, and it’s about to be more thrilling, dramatic, and full of speed than ever before. Thanks for sticking with us through the chaos of 2024, but trust us, 2025 is bringing even more excitement.
Buckle up, because the action is about to get even wilder. Get ready for high-speed thrills, explosions, and plenty of “Did that just happen?” moments. Bring it on, 2025!
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