A Sneak Peek into the Upcoming SMC Masaka Challenge Rally
By Mwambazi Lawrence
The SMC Challenge Rally , set to take place from April 4th to 6th, 2025, is coming at you with all the thrills, spills, and tire-screeching action you can handle. This will be the second round of the National Rally Championship and, spoiler alert, it’s going to be a test of skill, speed, and sheer nerve. If you thought rallying was all about high speeds, think again this rally is going to test both the crews and their machines to the absolute limit (you might want to start praying for those cars now!).
The event will be happening in the areas of Greater Masaka and Sembabule District, where the crew will undoubtedly face an exciting mix of terrain because what’s a rally without a little bit of “hold on for dear life” action? What makes this rally even more epic? It’s the ultimate warm-up for the Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally coming up in May. So, the competitors better get their engines running, and maybe even their prayers ready, because this is just the beginning! If they can survive this, they might just be able to call themselves “rally legends” by the time the dust settles. But no pressure, right?
Before the tires hit the dirt, there will be scrutineering on Friday, April 4th. That’s right, folks this will be the official ‘check if your car is worthy of the rally gods’ moment. The crews will have to make sure their machines are in tip-top shape to handle what’s coming. If your car doesn’t pass this, well… better luck next time, and maybe try a nice Sunday drive instead? But if you do pass, get ready for the real test where your car’s guts (and yours) will be put to the ultimate challenge.
The first full day of action will kick off bright and early with the 18km stage from Kyanjale because who needs sleep when you’ve got rallying to do, right? This stage will take the crews through villages and thickets of Kyanjovu and Kitengesa, and end with a flying finish at Kitengesa village. So, if you’ve ever wanted to experience the thrill of rallying through the heart of the countryside, where the only thing more unpredictable than the roads is the co-driver’s call, this is your stage!
But don’t get too comfortable, because next up will be the 21km stage that kicks off at Bwala Hill at the Pine Ridge, going through Mizinga, Misansala, and Kajuna, and finishing at Mugamba along the Bukakata Road. If you thought the roads couldn’t get any smoother, well, think again. These roads are going to be as smooth as the music coming from your favorite rally playlist (and trust me, the drivers will need that smoothness… because that’s the only thing standing between them and a very dramatic ‘hold on tight’ moment!). It’s going to be a thrilling ride with every twist and turn making the race that much more intense and probably shaking the driver’s nerves, even if the roads try to play it cool!
The Kako-Luvule Stage will come next with a 14km ride through Mukungwe, Kasaana, and will end in Sunga Village in Nabugabo. But wait, there’s more! The Nabugabo Field Stage (9km) will give fans the chance to see the cars in their full glory from start to finish. Fans will basically be getting front-row seats to an action movie, except there won’t be popcorn, just dust and lots of it. So, if you’ve ever wanted to feel like you’re in a high-speed chase scene, just breathe in that rally dust, and you’re practically part of the action! It’s the perfect mix of thrills, spills, and the occasional “Did that car just defy gravity?” moment!
Then we’ve got the Nabugabo Sand Beach Superspecial Stage where will be head-to-head, lane A versus lane B. Each lane is 1.5km, but don’t get too attached to your favorite driver they’ll be flying across those sands like they’re racing in a desert.
Day 2 will take us to Sembabule District, where the stages are longer, faster, and the loose gravel might just have you reconsidering your life choices. The 11km Kikoma-Rwendahi Stage will kick things off, followed by the 12km Rwendahi-Kiwula Stage. Then, brace yourself for two more stages: 18km Kagongo-Lugusulu and the 29km Lugusulu-Kyabi stage. These are the kind of stages that will make rally fans weak in the knees (and we’re not even kidding). If you’re not holding onto your seat, you’ll be holding your breath, because these roads will test every ounce of skill, speed, and sanity the drivers have. You might even find yourself praying for the car’s suspension, but don’t worry, the drivers will just keep pushing the limits and probably your nerves too
In the standings, the Masaka home hero, Ponsiano Lwakataka and Paul Musazi, are leading the charge, aiming to maintain that home turf advantage and stay at the top of the championship. However, Ronald Sebuguzi and Anthony Mugambwa are hot on their heels, hungry for those maximum points. Nasser Mutebi, currently in third, is also gunning for those points, hoping to climb higher in the rankings with his co-driver Steven Bunya. Meanwhile, the 2WD category is led by Edward Kirumira, sponsored by Stabex, with Monica Birwinyo by his side. But don’t get too comfortable, because Amir Kavuma is closing in, looking to close the gap. In third place, Julious Semambo will be reunited with his longtime co-driver Diana Nagawa. In the CRC category, Walter Kibande and his dreadlocked co-driver Duncan Katumba are holding the top spot. But as any rally fan knows, no lead is ever safe. Robert Sentongo and Yusuf Babu are trailing them in second, and in third, it’s Topher Katela making things interesting.
But let’s not forget some special returns. Duncan Mubiru Kikankane will be back, driving his Ford Fiesta Proto after a major rebuild in Latvia. Talk about speed on a global scale—this car’s been to Latvia, and now it’s back to show Uganda how it’s done! Also making a comeback will be Isaac Sozzi, uniting with Nambasa Mariam, who are upgrading from a Subaru Impreza N8 to a Subaru Impreza N12. If you ever wondered what it’s like to level up in rallying, this is your answer. It’s like going from a humble bicycle to a jet-powered tricycle
So there you have it your exclusive, somewhat comical, but totally accurate preview of the SMC Challenge Rally. From dirt to sand, smooth roads to gravel, this rally is going to give you a whole new appreciation for speed, power, and a touch of chaos. Mark your calendars, because April 4th to 6th is going to be one wild ride!
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