A Sneak Peek Into the 2026 NRC Season’s  Major Upgrades Set to Reshape the Championship

By Mwambazi Lawrence

As the 2025 rally season winds down, attention has already begun shifting ahead to the 2026 National Rally Championship  a season shaping up to introduce notable changes, high-profile upgrades, and fresh competition. Each year brings its surprises, and 2026 is already signaling a major shift in the performance landscape across multiple rally garages. Here is a preview of the expected changes and new developments from key teams and drivers.

The Musa Ssegaamu Camp

The Musa Ssegaamu camp is cooking serious things, my friend. Word on the street is that the legendary Mitsubishi Evo 9  yes, the one that has  eaten our emotions for the last few seasons  is finally getting its retirement send-off in Hoima. This Hoima event is basically the Evo 9’s last graduation party: we expect speeches, tears, maybe even someone trying to steal the rims as souvenirs. But hold tight  January 2026 is when real madness begins. The team will be unveiling a shiny new N5-spec rally car, the type of machine that doesn’t ask for permission on the road, it just comes and takes lanes. That move alone shows they are not just coming to participate in the NRC next season  they are coming to shake tables, break tables, and possibly carry some tables home.

Josh Rally Team

The Josh Rally Team is also cooking some very serious transfer news that has the rally streets gossiping like a market on a Monday morning. They are in advanced discussions with the 2025 African Rally Champion himself, Yasin Nasser, to acquire a Subaru Impreza GVB (Junior). Yes, you heard right  we’re talking about a machine that doesn’t just rev: it announces itself like a choir. The crew even took it for a test run recently, presumably to confirm whether it flies, glides, or simply bullies corners into submission. If this deal goes through, it means Josh is finally packing away the loyal Subaru Impreza N12  the car that has seen dust, potholes and  prayer   and stepping into something that says, “We have arrived, please reduce noise.” This upgrade signals one thing and one thing only for next season: the boy is tired of being polite. He is coming for pace and maybe even somebody’s championship lunch.

Didas Matsiko

Another plot twist to watch is coming from Didas Matsiko, who has quietly secured himself a Subaru Impreza GVB. And when we say quietly, we mean very quietly  no noise, no rumors, no screenshots in the rally WhatsApp groups. One minute he was there drinking porridge, next minute he is holding a GVB. The car is already parked somewhere safe, probably with neighbors being warned not to lean on it or breathe near it. The unveiling is expected to happen in the opening round of the 2026 NRC season in Mbarara  his home ground, where even the cows know his rally history. This upgrade is basically Didas standing up and saying, “This season we are not just participating. We are entering with noise,  and possibly a podium.” Mbarara, get ready  your son is coming home with horsepower.

Walter Kibande

One of the real standout performers in the CRC category  the young lion who’s been dropping stage times faster than a DJ drops beats  is officially leveling up to the NRC class next season. This youth has been taming the Subaru GC8 like a seasoned warrior, the kind of driver whose car doesn’t just corner  it skanks through bends with rhythm. But now, the upgrade is real: he’s moving to a Subaru Impreza N14, and beside him sits his co-driver Dunco the Rasta, the only navigator who probably blesses pacenotes with holy herb smoke before a stage and says, “One love, one line, keep it tight pon de apex.”

With their pace, chemistry, and that reggae energy in the cockpit, this duo is coming not just to race but to mash up de place. This move isn’t just a promotion  it’s a rasta revolution on four wheels, straight from Zion to the finish line!

Dr. Maseruka

From Bugerere, Dr. Maseruka is preparing one of the most respectful but dangerous upgrades we’ve seen in a while. The man is officially parking the Toyota RunX  yes, the same RunX that has survived the occasional spectator who thought waving at a rally car was a contact sport . He is stepping into a Subaru Impreza N14. And not just any N14  this one was formerly owned by Monge in Zambia, meaning the car already knows international stress and border-to-border speed limits. But wait  the real plot twist is bigger than the car change. Dr. Maseruka is also saying goodbye to the 2WD class, where he has been operating like a respected village chairman, and is now entering 4WD territory, where things get louder, faster, more technical, and sometimes spiritual. This move basically says:

“I am tired of being humble. Remove the limiter, pass me the helmet, I want to disturb people.”Expect Bugerere to start organizing prayer meetings, drum processions, and maybe even a thanksgiving before the season begins

Dr. Godfrey Nsereko

Meanwhile, Dr. Godfrey Nsereko has upgraded his arsenal with a Toyota Etios 2WD imported all the way from South Africa  because apparently, local dust and gravel just weren’t fancy enough. Known for consistently strong performances in the 2WD class, Nsereko now has a machine that promises to keep corners in line, brakes respectful, and spectators slightly nervous. With the Etios under his command, he’s expected to sharpen his competitive edge, especially in technical sections and high-speed stretches where precision matters… and where any overenthusiastic wheelspin could result in a very public flying dust cloud. One thing is clear: next season, Nsereko isn’t just driving  he’sconducting a masterclass in controlled chaos

Oscar Ntambi

Rounding out the major upgrades is Oscar Ntambi, who is finally saying goodbye to his trusty Subaru Impreza N10  the car that’s survived more bumps and sideways and stepping into a Mitsubishi Evo X. With experience across multiple car platforms, Ntambi is now armed with a machine that practically demands respect from gravel, mud, and unsuspecting corners. This move positions him to chase faster stage times, smoother runs, and perhaps even the occasional dramatic dust cloud for spectators to enjoy. Next season, Ntambi isn’t just racing; he’s upgrading his reputation, one Evo-powered corner at a time.

The 2026 NRC season is shaping up to be highly competitive, with significant machinery upgrades, new class entries, and developing talent stepping into the spotlight. These changes reflect growing investment in performance, increased ambition among teams, and a renewed competitive spirit across the championship field. If current indications are anything to go by, 2026 will be a defining year in Uganda’s rallying landscape.

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