Alwi Jr Shines Bright On Day1 as Lwakataka Falters
By Mwambazi Lawrence
Day One of the CMC Rajiv Ruparelia Memorial Rally 2025 is done and dusted and if there was any doubt about who’s boss, Hassan Alwi Junior just grabbed the mic and said, “Let me show you how it’s done.” Co-driven by the ever-calm Musa Nsubuga, the flying pair in the Ford Fiesta Proto turned Gulu tracks into their play ground, posting a total time of 26:21.2 after three stages done today.
Rally leader Hassan Alwi Jr flying his Ford fiesta Proto in the 1st stage of the rally ( Photo by Johnson Were)
They didn’t just win stages they bullied them. The crew scooped up two stage wins, including the long 27.42km Wobbly stage, With their car running smoother than a boda rider on fresh tarmac, Alwi and Nsubuga ended the day with a 6-second lead and judging by their smiles at service, you’d think they were leading by six minutes.
Right behind them, in the second Ford Fiesta Proto, Duncan “Kikankane” Mubiru and Joseph Kamya were flying too though Kikankane did his signature “360 dance” in the first superspecial stage. “The car wanted to face the fans, not the finish line,” he joked afterwards. Still, he managed to post 21:04.6, proving that even with a spin, you can’t keep a showman down.
Party spoiler Duncan Mubiru during the superspecial stage earlier today (Photo by Johnson Were)
In third place, the championship hopeful Ronald Sebuguzi and Anthony Mugambwa also brought their Ford Fiesta Proto to the party. They started by winning the first stage, making fans think this was going to be a Sebuguzi show until Alwi and Kikankane decided to remind him that the Protos aren’t toys. Still, Sebuguzi ended the day with a grin, especially after hearing that his title rival Ponsiano “Mafu Mafu” Lwakataka had gone sightseeing in the bush during CS2 damaging his car severely.
Championship hopefulls Ronald Sebuguzi and Anthony Mugambwa already have an upper hand on the tittle ( Photo by Johnson Were)
Day1 Results (NRC) Top 5
- Hassan Alwi Jr / Musa Nsubuga -26:21.2
- Duncan Mubiru / Joseph Kamya -26:27.4
- Ronald Sebuguzi/ Anthony Mugambwa -26:30.8
- Peter Kalule/ David Mwesigwa-30:8.6
- Aine Sodo/ Asuman Mohammed -30:19.9
Meanwhile, Peter Kalule and David Mwesigwa were quietly doing their thing, holding 4th with 24:17.5, just ahead of Aine Sodo and Derick Lubambula, who clocked 24:20.6. Sodo later said he could smell Kalule’s exhaust all day that’s how close their battle was.
Peter Kalule and David Mwesigwa comfortable in 4th after day1 ( Photo by Johnson Were)
But for Musa Ssegaabwe, it was one of those days where even the calculator refused to add up. A puncture in CS2 cost him nine long minutes enough time to stop, make tea, and still wonder where the air went. He ended up 13th overall, but knowing Musa, tomorrow he’ll be driving like a man possessed tomorrow.
Another Championship hopefull Musa Ssegaabwe hasnt had a good day in office with a puncture pushing himto unfamiliar 13th position ( Photo by Johnson Were)
If you think the 2WD class is quiet, think again. It’s basically a Toyota family meeting with sparks flying. Mansoor Lubega and Ronald Bukenya in their Toyota Corolla are ruling the day, but behind them, Julious “Mukalo” Semambo and Jaffer Lukenge in a Toyota Sprinter are chasing like rent is due tomorrow. Only 1.5 points separate them in the championship that’s basically a sneeze apart.
2WD Results After Day1
- Mansoor Lubega / Ronald Bukenya
- Julious Semambo/ Jaffer Lukenge
- Amir Kavuma/ Keneth Kavuma
Meanwhile, Hajji Amir Kavuma and Kenneth Kavuma in their Subaru Impreza 2WD are chilling comfortably in third the only ones not stressing about Toyotas and their drama.
CRC leaders Mansoor Lubega and codriver Ronald Bukenya taking charge of the 2WD class ( Photo by Johnson Were)
In the CRC class, Kevin Bebeto and Siraj Kyambade came out swinging and sliding in their Subaru N10, clocking 1:05:27 after two stages. Even with a faulty handbrake, the crew was pulling stunts that had fans wondering whether this was a rally or a drift event. “Handbrake or no handbrake, we’re still turning corners,” Kyambade laughed.
Kevin Bebeto powers his Subaru impreza N10 during the superspecial stage at Pece stadium ( Photo by Johnson Were)
Not far behind are Walter Kibande and Duncan Katumba, who are hanging onto their title hopes They clocked 1:05:33, despite a half spin that had Katumba shouting, “Left! Left! No your other left!”
In third place, Ahmed Katete and Morgan Serugga are driving their old Subaru GC8 like it’s brand new. “The car may be old, but it still has anger issues,” Ahmed joked after finishing cleanly in third. Behind them, Denis Bahizi and Eva Louise Weikamp kept things tidy with a time of 1:06:37, while Odeon Tumwebaze and Hussein Mukuye were spotted finishing 6th still dusting themselves off after what they called “a fun day of exercise.”
CRC Day1 Results
- Kevin Bebeto/ Siraj Kyambade-1:05:27
- Walter Kibande/ Duncan Katumba-1:05:33
- Ahmed Kateete/ Morgan Serugga-1:05:52
- Denis Bahizi/ Eva Louise Weikamp-1:16:37
- Odeon Tumwebaze/ Hussein Mukuye -1:26:31
Meanwhile, the usually unshakable Ponsiano “Mafu Mafu” Lwakataka and Paul Musazi found themselves parked where no rally car should be off the road. The car took a beating in CS2, and their rally ended earlier. But in true Mafu Mafu style, the crew fixed the car and promised to return tomorrow, probably faster and even louder.
Tomorrow promises 156km of pure rally action five stages, 78.81km of competitive mileage, and 82.50km of liaison. The day’s main course will be the 18.05km Rajiv Ruparelia stage, which doubles as the Power Stage meaning everyone will be driving like their school results depend on it. The Daudi Ochaya stage (12.19km) will be the shortest
By the end of tomorrow, we’ll know who’s in line for the 2025 Uganda National Rally Championship crown and if the pace today is anything to go by, the battle isn’t over till the last Fiesta sings.
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