Mubiru Benard Building a Rally Dream, One Stage at a Time
By Mwambazi Lawrence
Born in Gayaza, Wakiso District, Mubiru Sande Benard’s love for motorsport was not sparked in a single dramatic moment with fireworks and champagne. No. It was brewed slowly like a stubborn old rally car warming up on a cold morning through years of dust, noise, and childhood wonder. His journey into rallying proves that some dreams don’t shout; they rev quietly in the background until the limiter is finally hit.
Mubiru Benard (L) together with Codriver Hassan Kateregga (R) Pose for a photo after a good day in office.
Growing up, Benard didn’t just hear about rally legends he lived next door to them. His father stayed in Mperelwe village, home to the legendary Chipper Adams, while back in their home village of Namayina, their neighbor was none other than Karim Hirji. For young Benard, this meant rally cars occasionally blasted past his home like thunderbolts with number plates. While other kids ran for cover, Benard froze in admiration, eyes wide, mouth open, probably swallowing more dust than air. To him, those weren’t just cars they were dreams doing reconnaissance runs through his village.
As if that wasn’t enough temptation, his father was a fully certified rally addict. Some weekends meant rallies, not cartoons. Kayunga and Kalagi became family pilgrimage sites, and the service park in Kasangati was Benard’s version of a classroom. While other kids learned maths, Benard learned how to identify a rally car by sound alone and how mechanics can argue passionately over a single missing spanner. Somewhere between revving engines, flying dust, and drivers looking serious for no clear reason, he made a bold childhood promise: “One day, I’ll be one of these mad people.”
Benard Mubiru throws caution to the wind during the FMU sprint in Garuga last year.
That promise started demanding action in 2020. Armed with determination, limited resources, and faith stronger than a welded roll cage, Benard bought himself a Toyota FX. It wasn’t fast, it wasn’t fancy, but it was willing and in rallying, willingness counts. Transforming it into a rally car was a journey filled with late nights, budget gymnastics, and moments where the car refused to cooperate like a stubborn co-driver who skipped the recce. By the end of 2024, however, the FX finally looked less like a daily runner and more like something that could scare spectators.
Every rally driver needs a brave soul on the left seat, and fate delivered Hassan Kateregga as Benard’s first co-driver. Together, they debuted competitively at the Sisa Autocross 2025 an event where nerves are high, dust is free, and everyone suddenly believes they’re Sébastien Loeb. Against strong competition, the duo finished 3rd in the Cadet Class and 5th overall. The trophies were nice, but the real victory was realizing that the car didn’t explode and the notes mostly made sense.
Buoyed by that success, Benard went “all in” for the 2025 season, contesting all four autocross events. Consistency became their secret weapon while others chased hero moments and parked in bushes, Benard quietly collected points. By season’s end, he finished 2nd overall in the Cadet Class, just behind Ian Hans, who had more horsepower under his right foot. It was a classic rally lesson: power is nice, but finishing is nicer.
As 2026 rolls in, Benard graduates to the CRC Class, the motorsport equivalent of being promoted to a tougher school with harder exams and faster classmates. Staying loyal to his trusted Toyota FX, his strategy is refreshingly sensible: no unnecessary drama, no flying lessons, just clean finishes. His target is a solid top-three finish ambitious, but without asking the car to perform miracles it didn’t sign up for.
Of course, dreams don’t stop at CRC. Benard openly admires the Ford Fiesta R5, calling it “a beauty to watch at any event.” Like many rally drivers, he stares at it the way a village boy stares at a jet knowing it’s expensive, fast, and absolutely not forgiving mistakes.
Looking five years ahead, Benard believes Ugandan motorsport will grow louder, faster, and more competitive, with more cars flooding in and the standard rising stage by stage. And when that future arrives with more dust, more noise, and more stories one thing is certain: Mubiru Sunday Benard will be there, helmet on, smiling behind the visor.
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