Why Uganda Should Rally Behind Ponsiano Lwakataka

By Mwambazi Lawrence

If you call yourself a Ugandan rally fan and you’ve never heard the name Ponsiano “Mafu Mafu” Lwakataka, then my friend, you’re probably following the wrong sport. Sell that rally T-shirt, surrender your dust-covered gumboots and go support chess. Rally is clearly not your ministry.

This Saturday, July 18, at the Imperial Royale Hotel, the man who has spent over 25 years giving fans heart attacks, competitors nightmares and mechanics permanent stress is inviting all his friends, fans and well-wishers to a fundraising dinner to help him acquire a Volkswagen Polo Rally car.

For years, Lwakataka has entertained Ugandans not just with victories but with the kind of driving that makes spectators forget to breathe. Every time Mafu Mafu approaches a corner, fans don’t ask whether he’ll make it they ask whether the corner itself will survive. Trees begin praying, rocks start negotiating, and photographers quietly increase their life insurance.

His motorsport journey began in 1998 in motocross. After two years of flying through the air like luggage that had missed its flight, his body finally called an emergency meeting. His bones reportedly voted unanimously that enough was enough. The result? He switched to rallying, where at least the car shares the punishment.

In 2000, he bought his first rally car, a Toyota Levin, from Ismail Lule for just UGX 3 million. Together with the late Sgt. Famba, he started his first rally dead last in a field of 40 cars. Most people thought they were simply making up the numbers. By the finish, however, Mafu Mafu had climbed onto the podium in third place, leaving many competitors wondering whether they had accidentally taken a wrong route or stopped for Rolex along the way.

The following year he graduated to a Subaru Legacy. Unfortunately, the Legacy had a different understanding of rallying. Out of ten events, it finished just one. The rest of the time it behaved like it had paid entrance fees just to spectate. It became so famous for retiring that mechanics started greeting it with, “Welcome back, we knew you’d return before the finish.”

Not one to surrender, Lwakataka switched to a Subaru Impreza GC8 in 2002 alongside George Semakula. From that moment, Uganda’s rally stages became a danger zone. Dust followed them like a government tax bill, while competitors spent more time looking in their mirrors than looking ahead.

Their rise was incredible 11th overall, then third, then second, before lifting the National Rally Championship in 2005.

That championship was so dominant that scrutineers dismantled the entire car searching for hidden horsepower. They checked the turbo, gearbox, suspension and engine expecting to discover secret Formula One technology. After hours of inspection they found… absolutely nothing. The car was standard. Legend has it one official simply looked at the crew and said, “Next time let’s inspect these two instead. The problem is clearly between the seats.”

Then came 2006.

One unfortunate tree in Akright Estates clearly woke up and chose violence. It introduced itself to Mafu Mafu at high speed. The Subaru lost the argument, the season ended early and the tree probably celebrated the biggest victory of its life.

But 2007 is still spoken about wherever rally fans gather.

Ronald Sebuguzi famously challenged him, saying, “Mukomewo mbayigirize bwebavuga emotoka.” Roughly translated: “Come back so I can teach you how to drive.” Mafu Mafu accepted the invitation. He returned, won five of the six rallies he entered and politely returned the lesson unopened. Somewhere Ronald was left asking for a refund on the driving class.

As if that wasn’t enough, Zimbabwe’s Conrad Rautenbach arrived at the Pearl of Africa Rally in a shiny Subaru N10 looking every bit like an international superstar. Standing beside him was Lwakataka with his ageing GC8 that had probably seen more villages than Google Maps.

By the end of the rally, it was the old GC8 standing taller. Ugandan fans celebrated like they had just won the World Cup while the old Subaru quietly reminded everyone that horsepower is useful but courage is priceless.

In 2008, Mafu Mafu did something unusual. He handed the car to his wife, Rose Lwakataka. Now many husbands would expect their wives to drive cautiously. Not in the Lwakataka family.

Rose attacked the stages with the same determination, proving that in that household even breakfast is probably served at maximum attack.

Returning in 2009 with Musa Nsubuga, Lwakataka reignited one of rally’s most entertaining partnerships. In 2010 he chased Susan Muwonge all season despite missing the opening rounds. Everything pointed towards championship glory until his engine suddenly remembered it had other appointments. It switched itself off at the worst possible moment, gifting Susan the title while Mafu Mafu stared at the bonnet wondering which ancestor he had annoyed.

Redemption arrived in 2011 when he and Musa Nsubuga conquered the Pearl of Africa Rally, reminding everyone that champions don’t stay down they simply refuel.

Then came one of rally’s greatest rivalries against Jas Mangat. Whenever the two appeared on an entry list, fans cancelled weddings, postponed introductions and suddenly developed mysterious illnesses just to spend the weekend in the forests watching the battle.

Life away from rallying also threw difficult challenges his way. In 2014, Lwakataka spent time away from competition, but his fans never abandoned him. By the time he returned for the 2016 Mbarara Rally, supporters had already rebuilt and prepared his rally car.

The machine became affectionately known as Manyi Ga Bantu “People Power “ Because if there is one thing stronger than a rally engine, it is a Ugandan rally fan determined to see Mafu Mafu back on the stages.

The love continued in 2019 when supporters once again raised money to buy him Jas Mangat’s former Subaru N12B. Some competitors hoped the new car would need time to settle. Mafu Mafu had other ideas.

He immediately finished on the podium and politely informed everyone that old lions don’t ask for permission before hunting. Even in 2022, when he was leading the championship before circumstances denied him the chance to contest the final round, fans never stopped believing and Now comes the next chapter.

For over 25 years, Ponsiano “Mafu Mafu” Lwakataka has given Uganda memories that money can never buy moments of joy, courage and pride on every rally stage. Today, the man who has inspired thousands is asking for our support to keep his dream alive. This Saturday at the Imperial Royale Hotel, let us come together and help him acquire a Volkswagen Polo Rally car. Great champions win trophies, but great fans stand by their heroes. Let’s stand with Mafu Mafu today, so tomorrow we can proudly watch him carry our hopes and our flag back to the front of the field.

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