Hassan Alwi Jr and Musa Nsubuga Extend Championship Advantage in Masaka
By Mwambazi Lawrence
Hassan Alwi Jr and co-driver Musa Nsubuga extended their lead at the top of the 2026 KCB National Rally Championship standings after emerging victorious in the recently concluded KCB NRC3 Rally held in Masaka and Sembabule districts. The victory puts Alwi in an increasingly comfortable position in the championship race as the season edges toward its halfway point.
The rally initially belonged to Duncan Mubiru and co-driver Hamza Lwanga. The pair attacked the opening stages with the determination of men who had no interest in leaving anything for their rivals. Their pace was unmatched as they stormed into an early lead, leaving competitors chasing dust and wondering where they could find similar horsepower. For a moment, it looked as though the rest of the field was competing for second place.
But as rally fans know too well, a rally car can go from a championship-winning machine to an expensive garden ornament in a matter of seconds. During the Super Special Stage, a power steering failure struck Duncan’s Mitsubishi and suddenly the man who was confidently pointing the car into corners was now negotiating them like a boda boda rider carrying a sack of cassava uphill. The mechanical setback handed the advantage to Hassan Alwi.
Unlike some drivers who try to win every corner, Alwi and Musa Nsubuga focused on consistency. They kept the car on the road, avoided unnecessary drama and steadily increased their advantage. Once they inherited the lead, they drove with the calmness of a crew that understood championships are built on points as much as outright speed. Their strategy paid off as they crossed the finish line first with a winning time of 1:10:22.
Behind them, the battle for podium positions was as tight as wheel nuts before scrutineering. Kansiime delivered an impressive drive to finish second overall with a time of 1:11:43.38, while Duncan Mubiru and Hamza Lwanga recovered remarkably from their steering troubles to finish third in 1:12:04.08. Kataza completed the top finishers with a time of 1:14:48.26.
The rally was not kind to everyone. Reigning National Rally Champion and four-time champion Ronald Ssebuguzi became one of the major casualties of the event after retiring in the second-last stage. One moment he was chasing valuable championship points, and the next he was joining the ever-growing club of rally drivers who spend the remainder of the event explaining to fans that “everything was under control before the problem started.”
With victories in both Mbale and Masaka this season, Alwi continues to sit comfortably at the top of the championship standings. While it is still too early to talk about championships being won, rivals are beginning to realize that if they intend to stop him, they may need something stronger than speed. They might need a combination of speed, reliability, good luck and perhaps a few prayers.
Ambrose Byona and co-driver Susan Kalema also showed strong pace throughout the rally. Their event was progressing smoothly until a broken suspension struck in the third-last stage. Fortunately, the crew managed to restart and compete in the Power Stage. It was a reminder that in rallying, retirement is sometimes only temporary. A car can look completely defeated in one service park and return later sounding angrier than before.
In the 2WD category, Dr. Godfrey Nsereko and JB Musisi guided their recently acquired Toyota Etios to a commanding class victory. The crew enjoyed a clean rally from start to finish and clocked 1:22:36. The Etios looked so comfortable throughout the event that some spectators were probably wondering whether it had accidentally joined the wrong category.
Mansoor Lubega and Kenneth Kavuma finished second in their Toyota Corolla with a time of 1:24:27. Their consistent performance elevates them to the top of the 2WD championship standings. Completing the podium were Julius Semambo and Diana Nagawa in a Toyota Sprinter with a total time of 1:26:03. The three crews demonstrated once again that while four-wheel-drive cars may attract the headlines, the 2WD category continues to provide some of the fiercest competition in Ugandan rallying.
The Clubman Rally Championship category also delivered its fair share of drama. Godfrey Munyegera and Saul Musoke appeared to be cruising toward victory until a broken driveshaft on their Subaru Impreza ended their charge. In rallying, a driveshaft has a strange sense of humor. It waits until a crew is dreaming about victory before suddenly deciding it has worked enough overtime.
Their misfortune opened the door for Denis Bahizi, who inherited the lead and drove a mature and calculated rally to secure victory in his Subaru Impreza with a winning time of 52:00.23. Once Bahizi found himself at the front, he treated the lead like a precious family inheritance and refused to let it go.
The Trademate-sponsored crew of Sharif Muyanja and Edward Kiyingi finished second in their Toyota RunX, putting themselves firmly back into CRC championship contention. Completing the podium were Mubiru Sande and Hassan Katerega in a Toyota FX with a time of 1:00:18.
Despite finishing fourth in the event, Asiimwe Doreen remains at the top of the CRC championship standings. The championship battle is becoming increasingly fascinating, with multiple crews still capable of mounting serious title challenges. If the opening rounds are anything to go by, the second half of the season promises enough suspense to keep rally fans glued to the stages.
Final Results Top 10
- Hassan Alwi Jr/ Musa Nsubuga =1:10:22
- Jonas Kansime / Ronald Bukenya = 1:11:43
- Duncan Mubiru/ Hamza Lwanga =1:12:44
- Musa Ssegaabwe / Mathias Kiyega =1:13:49
- Haruna Kataza / David Mwesigwa =1:14:48
- Moses Lumala / Cedric Buzabo =1:15:26
- Oscar Ntambi / Pius Luggya =1:16:33
- Aine Sodo/ Asumman Mohammed =1:17:36
- Walter Kibande/ Duncan Katumba =1:18:17
- Godfrey Nsereko/ JB Musisi =1:22:36
As the KCB National Rally Championship approaches its midpoint, the championship picture is becoming clearer. Hassan Alwi and Musa Nsubuga have strengthened their grip at the top, but rallying has never been won on paper. Championships are decided on rough roads, unpredictable weather, split-second decisions and the willingness of rally cars to cooperate. And as every rally fan knows, sometimes the car has its own plans.
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