The tranquil farmlands of Ziroobwe, Luweero, were anything but quiet today as the air vibrated with the distinct growl of a rally engine. Musa Ssegaabwe, the formidable Ugandan rally driver and patriarch of the renowned SEGAMU Rally Team, officially unveiled his brand-new Skoda Fabia RS N5 to an ecstatic gathering of fans.
This wasn’t just any car; it was a bespoke machine, meticulously crafted by the prestigious Spanish company RMC Motorsport, and it represents a formidable new chapter in Ssegaabwe’s championship aspirations.
The reveal, held right on Ssegaabwe’s farm, quickly transformed into an impromptu test session. As the gleaming Skoda tore through the dusty track, its raw power and agility on full display, the cheers from his loyal supporters were deafening.
They watched, captivated, as their hero put the machine through its paces, a tantalizing preview of what’s to come in the forthcoming Uganda National Rally Championship (NRC) calendar opener.
Ssegaabwe, ever the strategist, had already spent a week mastering the car while it was still in Spain late last year, ensuring he was intimately familiar with its nuances even before its late February landing on Ugandan soil.
Ssegaabwe’s journey to this moment has been one of consistent progression and near-triumphs. His 2025 campaign, driving a Mitsubishi Evo 9, saw him finish an impressive second overall in the NRC, building on his Clubmanship Rally Championship (CRC) win in 2024. The competitive fire within him burned brightest at the season-closing Kabalega Hoima Rally, where he narrowly missed the top spot, finishing a mere 45 seconds behind winner Duncan Mubiru ‘Kikankane’ with a time of 1:21:36.40. That close call only fueled his ambition.
Indeed, Ssegaabwe’s intentions for the 2026 season were no secret. Speaking earlier, he had boldly declared, “If not this year, I’m already prepping a brand-new car to make it happen next year.” With the official unveiling of the Skoda Fabia RS N5, that “next year” has arrived, and Ssegaabwe is more than ready to rumble for the championship win.
The excitement among the fans, who witnessed the Skoda speeding in practice, was palpable. Their anticipation for the 2026 NRC calendar opener, the MPU Mbale Rally, later this month, has reached a fever pitch. With a new car, honed skills, and an unyielding determination, Musa Ssegaabwe and the SEGAMU Rally Team are ready to leave their mark on Ugandan motorsport, promising a season filled with thrilling action and a relentless pursuit of the NRC title.
That’s fantastic to see Musa getting ready for the NRC. It’s great to see local talent competing at that level.