Meet Duncan Mubiru AKA Kikankane The Man Who Has Bought and Driven More Rally Cars

By Mwambazi Lawrence

If there were a championship for buying and driving the most rally cars in Uganda, Duncan Mubiru would have won it ten times over! The man has changed cars like a fashionista changes outfits, leaving fans wondering: How does he do it?. This man buys rally cars like others buy chapati – and not just any cars, but top-of-the-range beasts that leave fans scratching their heads. His garage history reads like a car dealer’s inventory, and he has driven more rally cars than any other driver in Uganda. But how did it all start? Buckle up, grab some popcorn, and let’s take a wild ride through the madness that is Duncan Mubiru’s rally career.

Mitsubishi Evo5

Mubiru’s rallying career began in 2009 when he acquired a Mitsubishi Evo 5 from Ronald Sebuguzi. Fun fact: this car had been owned by legendary Charlie Lubega before making its way to Sebuguzi, and then to Duncan – like an heirloom being passed down in a very fast, very loud family. Duncan made his debut during the 2009 Botanical Sprint and later took on his first full rally at the 2010 Mbarara Rally with Paul Musazi as his co-driver.

Mitsubishi Evo 8

By 2010, Duncan had already outgrown the Evo 5 (or maybe he just got bored) and decided to step up to a Mitsubishi Evo 8 from Kenya. He won the CBS Premier Sprint in Lubiri, and for a moment, things looked good. But this car had a mind of its own – it retired more often than a government worker waiting for their pension. The final straw was a nasty crash in Rwanda. Duncan left the car there for a few months, probably hoping it would reflect on its behavior. When he finally brought it back, he decided to sell it off to Lucky Boy, who later sold it to Jonas Kansime, who still drives it today – probably with prayers before every race.

The Subaru  N14

After a series of disappointments, Duncan ditched Mitsubishi and thought, “Let’s try something new.” Enter the Subaru Impreza N14, previously owned by rally legend Emma Katto, then Desh Kananura. This car was the first of its kind in Africa, and Duncan became an instant household name – mostly because people kept saying, “Who is this crazy guy driving that thing?”

His first event with the N14 was the 2013 Mbarara Rally, where he finished third with Bashiel Mbogo. A year later, he won the same event with Paul Musazi. The car performed well, but Duncan, being Duncan, got the itch for something new. He sold it to Abdul Katete, who passed it on to Fred Wampamba, and just like that, another one of Duncan’s ex-cars was out in the wild.

The Subaru N12B

As if one Subaru wasn’t enough, in 2013, Duncan added a Prodrive Subaru Impreza N12B to his collection. He bought it from the late African rally champion Charles Muhangi. His first outing in this car was at the 2013 CBS Premier Sprint, finishing third. The car performed well, including a solid third-place finish at the 2014 Rwanda Mountain Gorilla Rally. Eventually, Duncan sold it to Kenya’s Shamba Boys Rally Team.

The TMR Subaru Impreza STI Spec aka “N16”

Not stopping there, in 2014, Duncan decided he needed yet another Subaru, this time a TMR Subaru Impreza STI Spec C from AMC Racing Cyprus. Fans called it an ‘N16,’ but Duncan called it “My New Toy.” He won several events, including the 2015 Mbarara Rally, before deciding that he wanted a Mitsubishi again – because, clearly, he couldn’t make up his mind. He traded it with KG Motorsports in the UK for a Ralliart Evo X, plus a top-up.

Mitsubishi Evo X Takes Over

By 2016, Duncan had a new best friend  a Mitsubishi Evo X from KG Motorsports. And this car was a beast! He finished second in the Gorillas in the Mist Rally alongside Bashiel Mbogo before winning the same event the following year. After two years, he sold it to Adam Rauf, who has since rebuilt it and plans to debut it in the upcoming 2025 Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally.

The Mitsubishi Evo X R4

In 2018, Duncan got an Evo X R4 from Desh Kananura, who was taking a break from rallying (probably exhausted from watching Duncan swap cars every season). The deal included spare parts and a service van – because why not? His first win with this car came in the 2020 Rukari Lake Mburo Mbarara Rally alongside Musa Nsubuga. After that, Duncan parked the car and never drove it again – like a rich man who buys a sports car just to look at it.

The Subaru Impreza GVB

In 2021, Duncan hit the headlines once more when he brought in a Subaru Impreza GVB from Kenya – the first of its kind in Uganda. Fans adored this car, but its debut at the MMC Mbarara Rally 2021 ended in disaster when he rolled it in the final stage. No problem   he rebuilt it, continued racing, won the 2021 National Rally Championship, then crashed it again in 2022. He eventually sold it, but for his recent event at Lumala @60 Mum @90, he had to borrow it. Talk about an ex you can’t let go of!

The Ford Fiesta Proto – The Future of Ugandan Rallying?

Just when everyone thought he had driven every car possible, Duncan outdid himself again in 2022 by importing a Ford Fiesta NRC Proto from Latvia, built by Neiksans Rally Sport. This was yet another first in Uganda, making him the undisputed king of “I saw it, I bought it.”

This Ford Fiesta Proto has delivered multiple victories and podium finishes, and last year, he sent it back to Latvia for a full rebuild. Now, the car is returning, and Duncan is preparing for a full-throttle comeback in the upcoming SMC Challenge Rally in April 2025.

Duncan Mubiru’s rally career is like a Netflix series – full of drama, plot twists, crashes, and comebacks. His ability to acquire, drive, and swap high-performance rally cars is unmatched. One day, he’s driving an Evo X; the next, he’s in a Subaru; before you blink, he’s got a Ford Fiesta Proto.

What’s next? A WRC-spec car? A flying rally car? A tuk tuk rally edition? With Kikankane, anything is possible. One thing is for sure – as long as rallying exists, Duncan Mubiru will keep us entertained, both on and off the track. Buckle up, because the Kikankane Show is far from over!

About The Author

Mwambazi

Mwambazi Lawrence is a passionate motorsport writer and an intrepid co-driver, fearlessly tackling the rugged landscapes of Uganda’s racing circuits. His immersive experiences fuel his storytelling, allowing him to weave exhilarating narratives that resonate with the pulse of the race. With a keen eye for detail and a love for speed, Lawrence brings the excitement of motorsport to life, inviting readers to join him on a thrilling journey through the world of motorsport.

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