The race for this year’s Ugandan rally champions has intensified. Every mistake weighs heavily. One slip, and catching up becomes nearly impossible. As the fourth NRC calendar round concluded on Saturday, the Bugerere Stabex EMC rally left emotions raw. Drivers experienced a mix of despair and elation. Some stood with hands on their cheeks, stunned. Others laughed, fists clenched in triumph.
The National Rally Championship (NRC) title was fiercely contested. Three-time champion Ronald Ssebuguzi led the pack with 142 points. Close behind were Musa Ssegaabwe with 132.5 and Ponsiano Lwakataka with 117. Duncan Mubiru and Didas Matsiko trailed with 115 points each. Each driver fought to secure a top-three finish, essential for staying in the title race. In a twist, Lwakataka emerged victorious, while Ssebuguzi managed to claim third. Kikankane finished 14th, Matsiko 17th, and Ssegaabwe 6th.
Despite the chaos, Ssebuguzi left Kayunga still in the lead with 187 points. Lwakataka followed closely with 175 points, while Ssegaabwe, Kikankane, and Matsiko scored 167, 140, and 124 points respectively.
In the Two Wheel Drive (2WD) title, Edward Kirumira began on top with 52 points. Mansoor Lubega and Amir Kavuma were close behind at 51 points. Julius Ssemambo trailed with 42. However, the EMC rally shook things up. Kirumira finished seventh, Lubega fifth, and Kavuma tenth. This shift was critical. Lubega now leads with 66.5 points, Ssemambo follows at 61.5, while Kirumira sits at 60.5. Kavuma lags at 51 points.
Walter Kibande, despite a DNF, remained on top of the Clubman Rally Championship (CRC) title log. Robert Ssentongo Nkima fell short just before the race began, a cruel twist of fate. Kevin Bebeto, who won the category, found himself with fewer title points to overtake the leader.
Kibande’s lead stands at 55 points, while young blood Ahmed Kateete sits at 50 points in second place. Bebeto follows with 42, and Nkima has dropped to fourth with 40 points.
Each driver now grapples with their fate, aware that the championship hangs in the balance with three events left.
