Ssebuguzi & Mugambwa Seal The 2025 NRC Title
By Mwambazi Lawrence
And so… it all comes down to this. The 2025 National Rally Championship is officially done and dusted. The dust has settled (at least for now), and the champions’ names are written in bold, underlined, highlighted, and possibly laminated for future generations. Ronald Sebuguzi and Anthony Mugambwa have been crowned the 2025 National Rally Champions.
Coming into the recently concluded UMOSPOC Kabalega Rally, Sebuguzi needed just eight points. All he had to do was drive through the stages, avoid unnecessary heroism, and most importantly, resist the temptation to show off for fans who love shouting, “Sebbo ojivuze!” His mission was simple: start the rally, finish the rally, and avoid any comedy that could spoil the title bid. Lucky for him, his closest rival Ponsiano Lwakataka had already chickened out of the rally some say he smelled the pressure and said, “banange let me go and prepare my Viga Luwombo in peace.” This left Musa Ssegaabwe as the only real challenger, though even he knew that catching Sebuguzi this late in the season was next to impossible
In classic championship style, Sebuguzi cruised to a 4th-place finish, collecting more points than he actually needed. With this title, he joins the legendary four-time NRC winners: Jas Mangat, Charlie Lubega, and Sam Sali. It took him 11 years since his last title and 25 years in the sport, but as they say better late than never, and even better four titles than three.
Meanwhile, co-driver Anthony Mugambwa quietly secured his second consecutive NRC co-driver title. Mugambwa has been so steady this season that some fans joke he no longer reads pace notes he simply predicts corners by instinct like a weather forecaster. The pair finished all seven rounds this year. No DNFs. No mechanical dramas. No swamp diving. Just clean, mature, championship-winning rallying.
In the 2WD class, Mansoor Lubega and Ronald “Kesh” Bukenya were the undisputed kings. Since acquiring the Toyota Corolla, Mansoor has been in lethal form some fans believe the Corolla has nine lives. The duo stayed fast, consistent, and clean all season, sealing the title in style.
Over in the CRC class, Walter Kibande and Duncan Katumba completed what can only be described as a season of miracles. These were the survivors of 2025. After going swimming in the swamp during the EMC Kayunga Rally and suffering double retirement in Hoima dropping out on Day 1, coming back for the Super Special Stage, retiring again, then restarting on Day 2 like nothing happened they still managed to win the championship. Their Subaru GC8 deserves a medal of its own.
Musa Ssegaabwe and Mathias Kiyegga were the honourable 2nd runners-up in the NRC. Despite this being their first season in the championship, they finished all seven rounds and secured a remarkable 2nd overall. Their year started with a near-roll in Mbarara that almost sent Kiyegga into early retirement, but they fought back strongly. As we speak, the crew is in Spain testing their brand-new Skoda Fabia N5, expected in Uganda soon.
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In the 2WD class, Julius Semambo and Jaffer Lukenge also put up a worthy fight. They exchanged wins with Mansoor all season until a few late setbacks dropped them to 2nd place. Nonetheless, their performance remained impressive throughout the year.
Looking ahead, 2026 is shaping up to be a blockbuster season. Crews are already upgrading machines like students buying new sets for Senior One. Ssegaabwe’s Skoda Fabia N5 is on the way. Joshua Muwanguzi has upgraded to a Subaru GVB. Didas Matsiko is also preparing to unleash a GVB. Samuel Watendwa is moving on to a more powerful Toyota Runx, and Oscar Ntambi is upgrading to a Mitsubishi Evo X. From the CRC ranks, hotheads like Bebeto, Walter Kibande, and Ahmed Kateete are graduating to the NRC, already threatening the big names.
But before all that, one more war remains the Champions Sprint on 26th december. This is where all the unfinished business of 2025 will be settled. Scores will be settled. Egos will be tested. Friendships might temporarily end. This is the sprint where someone always says, “Today I must show them,” and the winner walks away with bragging rights until 2026.
The 2025 NRC season has been dramatic, hilarious, unpredictable, and unforgettable. And if the preparations are anything to go by, the 2026 season promises even more chaos. Buckle up the dust never settles for long.
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