Eastern Motor Club (EMC) has broken its silence.
In a heated lunch meeting held yesterday at Kati Kati Restaurant, the FMU-affiliated club’s drivers laid bare the frustrations eating away at Ugandan rallying — with one issue standing above all: Fuel.
Chaired by club president Kees Kagolo, the meeting turned into an emotional venting session as drivers spoke out about what they say is a growing disrespect from event organisers.
THE KYENJOJO STAND-OFF THAT SHOOK NRC 5
The meeting was sparked by the dramatic incident last month at NRC 5 in Kyenjojo, where a big number of drivers — most of them from the 2WD category and many of them EMC members — refused to start the event.
They had already passed scrutineering. Their cars were ready. The fans were waiting. But they parked.
Their reason? Organisers had failed to deliver the fuel they had agreed to provide — a promise that drivers say is now routinely broken.
“We cannot keep spending our own money to prepare cars, travel hundreds of kilometres, pass scrutineering, and then be told there is no fuel,” one driver told the meeting. “If we don’t stand together, nothing will change.”
The Kyenjojo protest sent shockwaves through the championship and forced many to ask: who is really looking out for the drivers?
KAGOLO PROMISES TO TAKE FIGHT TO FMU
Listening keenly to every complaint, President Kagolo assured the drivers that their voices would not die in that restaurant.
He promised to formally forward their grievance to the Federation of Motorsport Clubs of Uganda (FMU) for urgent action, in the interest of the betterment of the sport.
But he also had a strong message for his members:
“Always come back to the club when you have a grievance. Do not fight alone. We are stronger as EMC, and EMC will fight for you.”
A CLUB STANDING WITH ITS DRIVERS
For EMC, yesterday was more than just lunch. It was a show of unity.
The drivers made it clear: they love the sport, they want to race, but they want fairness, respect and honesty from organisers.
As the season heads into its decisive stretch, all eyes will now be on FMU — will they listen to the drivers, or will Kyenjojo happen again?
One thing is certain: Eastern Motor Club drivers have spoken.
