Mbarara Set For The 2025 Season Opener
By Mwambazi Lawrence
Mbarara is about to come alive once again as it prepares to host the opening round of the 2025 Uganda National Rally Championship (NRC). The event, set for January 24th to 26th, promises to kick off the rally season with a bang, drawing fans, drivers, and crews from across. This is no ordinary rally this year’s event is packed with history, emotion, and thrilling competition. Mbarara is where the action is, and this year, it’s set to be a showstopper.
This year’s rally is more than just an opening round; it’s a tribute to two legends Moses Lumala and his mother, who both have milestones it celebrates the legendary Moses Lumala who turns 60 this year and his mother, who is marking an incredible 90 years. It’s a double whammy of milestones, and the rally is the perfect stage for this celebration. And if that’s not enough to excite your rally-loving soul, Moses Lumala is making his big comeback to active rallying after a lengthy break. Imagine him stepping out like a rockstar after a world tour minus the leather pants and crazy hair, but with a lot of horsepower instead.
Will Moses Lumala, who made the sport look easy back in the day, remind the young guns of what true rallying looks like, or will he just roll up, nod, and tell them, “This is how we did it in my day, Either way, fans are ready for a dose of action and a few new tricks up his sleeve. But the question is: Will the old legend still have what it takes to show the young bloods how it’s done?
Let’s talk about the Mbarara Rally itself. This isn’t just a race; it’s a battle royale with dirt, dust, and an all-you-can-eat buffet of sharp corners. Mbarara is the place where champions are born or where they crash trying to get there. It’s long been believed that the winner of this rally is destined to take home the NRC title. Some might even say it’s the “perfect storm” for a championship run or, in some cases, a perfect disaster if you misjudge a corner. With a stacked entry list featuring both fresh talent and seasoned drivers it’s clear that the competition is about to hit full throttle. Who’s going to rise to the occasion, and who’s going to need a tow truck before lunch?
Over the years, the Mbarara Rally has seen a variety of winners, each adding their chapter to the event’s rich history. Here’s a quick glance at the past winners:
- 2017: Omar Mayanja / Hussein Mkuye
- 2018: Jas Mangat / Joseph Kamya
- 2019: Jas Mangat / Joseph Kamya
- 2020: Duncan Mubiru / Musa Nsubuga
- 2021: Event canceled due to COVID-19
- 2022: Ponsiano Lwakataka / Paul Musazi
- 2023: Yasin Nasser / Ali Katumba
- 2024: Jas Mangat / Enoch Olinga
Jas Mangat, the 2024 Mbarara winner, took home the trophy in his Hyundai i20, setting the stage for his eventual victory in the overall NRC title. His success has further cemented the idea that the Mbarara Rally is not just a season opener it’s a career-defining event. But as the saying goes, “Mbarara doesn’t give titles, it makes champions,” and in 2025, the field is wide open.
Just when you thought it couldn’t get any crazier, boom, Duncan Mubiru is back! After being out of action for a year, Duncan is returning to the circuit with more fire than ever. He’s like the rallying equivalent of a boomerang you throw him out, and he always comes back! But can he pick up where he left off, or will he need a few “trial laps” to remember how to turn the wheel without hitting the bushes? Only time will tell.
As for Moses Lumala, rally fans are buzzing with anticipation about his comeback. Will the 60-year-old legend return to form and prove he still has what it takes to mix it with the younger drivers, or is this more of a symbolic return to celebrate his enduring legacy? Either way, Lumala’s presence in the rally is sure to add an emotional touch, reminding fans of the golden age of Ugandan rallying.
As drivers scramble to fine-tune their machines in their garages and mentally prepare for the challenge that awaits, one question lingers: Who’s going to take the win this year? Will Mbarara continue its tradition of being the ultimate title predictor, or will we see a new champion emerge from the dust and dirt?.The spotlight is on Mbarara come January 24th, and the entire country will be watching as the drama unfolds.
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