Passion in the Blood, Rally in the Soul
By Mwambazi Lawrence
Ever wondered what it takes for a motorsport fan to turn childhood passion into a life on the rally stage? For Odeon Tumwebaze, the journey began in the bustling streets of Kampala, where family weekends meant packing up early and heading out to watch rallies in person. Dust in the air, engines screaming through the stages, and fans running from corner to corner that was their family outing. “My dad, my mum we all went to rallies together,” Odeon recalls. “That’s where the spark started… and probably where my love for dust became permanent.”
Growing up, he had his motorsport “holy trinity.” Chipper Adams with the flamboyance the kind of driver who looked like he was dancing with the car while the rest of us struggle to dance at weddings. Emma Katto made rallying look so cool it should’ve come with sunglasses. And Charlie Lubega? Pure professionalism the man drove like he had a meeting with destiny and couldn’t afford to be late. Odeon’s dream was simple: take Chipper’s flair, Emma’s swagger, Charlie’s precision… and pray the car agrees.
His competitive journey kicked off in 2008 as a co-driver alongside Paul Muwanguzi in a Subaru GC8 hatchback a car that sounded fast even when parked by then. Two seasons in, Odeon had mastered the art of calling notes while wondering if the suspension would survive the next bump. In 2014, he tried a buggy at Garuga, where he discovered two things: sand gets everywhere, and buggies have a special talent for making drivers look like they’re wrestling invisible bulls. After a short break, he returned between 2017 and 2023 for sprints and autocross short races, big adrenaline, and just enough time to question life decisions before the finish line.
Somehow, in between all that, he also managed Ambrose Byona, Desh Rally Team and co-drove Desh himself on route opening duties basically the motorsport version of, “Let’s go see how bad the road is before everyone else suffers.”
In 2024, Odeon stepped into the CRC category with a Toyota Altezza sleek, fast, and occasionally dramatic, like all rally cars with personality. He completed four events, landing two podium finishes: third in Mbarara and third at the Pearl of Africa Jinja Rally. The other events? Let’s just say the car had “other plans,” and a co-driver health issue added to the drama. DNFs happened, but quitting never did.
By 2025, Odeon had found a rhythm. Despite a rough start, he finished on the podium in half the events he entered. Consistency became his trademark not the loudest guy in the room, but the one who keeps showing up… usually smiling like he knows something the rest don’t.
Looking to 2026, he plans a full 2WD season his farewell tour in the category before upgrading to a more powerful machine. “Some people rally for show; I rally for myself,” he says. And honestly, with the way rally cars behave, that’s the healthiest mindset you can have.
Off the track, Odeon’s impact is just as loud. He helped revive the Mbarara Motor Club, served on the FMU competitions committee, and managed two top regional teams: KFC Desh Rally Team and Hima Cement Omunyeto Rally Team. If rally had group projects, Odeon would be the one actually doing the work while everyone else debates tyre pressure.
However, his road hasn’t been smooth. Health setbacks in 2024, sponsorship headaches, and the occasional motorsport politics because even rally has more drama than a TV series. But his outlook stays positive. He sees a new, united generation rising drivers like Bebeto, Ali Bobo, and Ahmed Katete bringing sharper skills, better cars, and bigger ambition. “The competition is getting tougher,” he says with a grin. “Which is good… I like my victories properly earned.”
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For Odeon Tumwebaze, motorsport isn’t just about speed. It’s family tradition, personal therapy, leadership training, and sometimes an expensive way to collect dust. But as he gears up for another season, one thing is certain whether he’s on the stage, in the service park, or arguing lovingly with a stubborn engine, Odeon is exactly where he belongs.
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