Motocross Thrills Return as Kalisizo Hosts Season Opener

The much-anticipated motocross season kicks off in high gear this Saturday, 1st February 2025, with the documentation and technical control scheduled for 2 PM at Nabisere Hotel, Kalisizo. Riders across various categories are set to battle for supremacy in what promises to be an action packed  event.

Mx50 Junior Is A Two-Horse Race

The Mx50 Junior category is expected to be a head-to-head showdown between Sentamu Favour and Harvey Kiggundu. With former rivals Avisha Ellis Laboke, Israel Mpuga, Ariella Katende, and Janan Makumbi having moved up to Mx50 Senior, the battle for victory is now wide open. With Sentamu Favour being the younger brother of Sentamu Fortune, his determination to carry on the family legacy will be put to the test.

Mx50 Senior Will be A Girls’ Showdown

The Mx50 Senior class is set to be dominated by fierce competition among the girls, with Hellena Birungi, Abigail Muwanguzi, and Abigail Katende taking center stage. However, the likes of Jaysen Katek, Alber Muwanguzi, Israel Mpuga, and Avisha Ellis Laboke will be looking to shake things up and deny them a clean sweep.

Mx65 Is Unpredictable

With the highest number of entries, the Mx65 category remains the most difficult to call. Riders like Larry Ssekamwa and Ashraf Mbabazi Jr are expected to lead the pack, but fresh talent in the form of Ethan Musede, Filbert Muwonge, and Haiden Kaliisa could cause major upsets. Adding to the mix is the arrival of Mx50 graduates, including reigning Mx50 Champion Jude Kyle Musede, Eadric Musede, and Solomon Winyi, who are eager to make an immediate impact.

Mx85 The Return of Miguel Katende

The Katende brothers headline the Mx85 category, with Miguel Katende making a comeback from injury and his younger sibling moving up from Mx65. They will face tough competition from Isaac Mitima, Ramathan Mubiru, Ally Kimera, Ashram Makumbi, and Talah Kateete, making this class one to watch.

Mx125  Defending Champion Faces Tough Opposition

Defending Mx125 Champion Gift Sebuguzi will be looking to start his title defense on a strong note. However, he faces stiff competition from Jerome Mubiru, Ron Young, Keith Deedan, and Jason Burrows, all eager to dethrone him.

Mx2 Will Be A Battle of Grit and Determination

Waleed Ali Omar is the standout name in the Mx2 category, but this class is expected to be largely a ladies’ affair. Reigning Champion Sharifah Kateete will be defending her crown against determined challengers, including Swanswi Sambo, Asia Kasirye, Shadia Kateete, Shamilah Kateete, and Sasha Nagaddya.

Mx Vets  Experience vs. New Challenges

In the Mx Vets category, defending Champion Kayiira Geoffrey will have his work cut out for him against seasoned competitors such as Sebunya Rogers (SB4), JB Achal, and Ali Kigozi. Notably, Arithea Nakiwala stands as the only female rider in this class, ready to take on the veterans.

With intense battles across all categories and rivalries brewing, fans can expect a weekend of high-speed action and thrilling moments. Who will rise to the occasion and claim victory in Kalisizo? The dirt track will soon reveal all!

2025 Uganda National Rally Championship Calendar Released As The Road to Glory Begins!

The 2025 Uganda National Rally Championship (NRC) is officially underway, with Round 1 already concluded. Motorsport fans can now look forward to six more thrilling rounds that promise intense competition, breathtaking action, and an ultimate battle for supremacy on Uganda’s toughest rally stages.

Next Stop Is  Masaka – Southern Motor Club Takes Charge

The championship now shifts gears to Masaka, where Round 2 is set to unfold from April 4th to 6th. Organized by the Southern Motor Club, this event is expected to be a defining moment as drivers push to establish their dominance early in the season. Masaka’s unpredictable terrain and enthusiastic rally fans will set the perfect stage for an electrifying showdown. Just remember, Masaka’s dust has a personal vendetta against white shirts so unless you’re planning to start a new fashion trend called “Desert Storm Chic,” you will need to dress accordingly!

Mbarara Awaits the ARC & NRC Duel

Round 3, scheduled for May 9th to 11th, will be a double-header, serving as both NRC3 and ARC2. Mbarara, a region synonymous with high-speed rallying, will host the event under the stewardship of the Federation of Motorsport Clubs of Uganda (FMU). With top African drivers expected to join the fray, this round will test Uganda’s finest against the best on the continent. Expect turbo-charged engines, heart-pounding drifts, and the occasional cow that believes it has right of way.

Jinja Set for Mid-Season Drama

As the championship heats up, the action moves east to Jinja for Round 4, from July 4th to 6th. Organized by the Eastern Motor Club, this event promises to separate serious title contenders from those merely in it for the thrill. By this point, fans will have a clearer picture of the true championship challengers. And if you’re in Jinja, don’t forget to take a moment to enjoy the Nile before the rally cars turn the surrounding villages into an unintentional off-road adventure park!

Fort Portal Tourism City Ready for Round 5

From August 22nd to 24th, the NRC caravan will roll into Fort Portal Tourism City for Round 5. Hosted by the Uganda Motorsports Club (UMC), this rally is expected to offer a mix of scenic beauty and grueling stages, testing the resilience and strategy of every competitor.

Gulu: The Title Race Intensifies

The penultimate battle takes place in Gulu, from October 9th to 12th. Organized by the Central Motor Club (CMC), this event will set the stage for a thrilling finale. By the end of this round, the championship picture will be much clearer, with only one event left to determine the season’s ultimate victor. By now, we’ll know who the serious contenders are and who simply came for the afterparties!

Hoima Awaits the Grand Finale

The 2025 NRC champion will be crowned in Hoima, where the final round will take place on November 20th to 23rd. Although the organizing club is yet to be confirmed, the battle for the national title is expected to reach a fever pitch, making for an epic season-ending showdown. It’s here where engines will roar, tempers may flare, and the championship will be decided

With an exciting calendar ahead, Uganda’s rally enthusiasts can expect a season packed with high-speed action, tactical battles, and championship-defining moments. As drivers and teams fine-tune their machines, one question remains: Who will rise to claim the 2025 NRC crown?

Ponsiano Lwakataka’s ‘Musota’ Strikes  in Mbarara

Last weekend, motorsport fans flocked to Mbarara for the Lumala@60 Mum@90 Birthday Rally, and as expected, Ponsiano Lwakataka and co-driver Paul Musazi didn’t just win they devoured the competition. Driving their Subaru Impreza, affectionately nicknamed “Musota” , the duo slithered through the seven-stage rally like it was child’s play, clocking a total time of 1:12:59.

The rally, organized by MPU Club and sponsored by rally legend Moses Lumala, marked the opening round of the 2025 Uganda National Rally Championship . With 37 entries, including Rwandan guests Adolphe Nshimizimana and Regis Remera in a Subaru N10, the event had no shortage of talent or drama.

Lwakataka won two stages, leaving rivals Ronald Sebuguzi (Ford Fiesta Proto) and Yassin Nasser (Ford Fiesta R5) scrambling to keep up. Sebuguzi and his co-driver Anthony Mugambwa claimed second place with a time of 1:15:34, followed by the ecstatic crew of Nasser Mutebi and Steven Bunya in their Mitsubishi Evo 9 (1:16:26).

Meanwhile, 2023 champion Yassin Nasser faced disaster in the 30km Lumala stage when his Ford Fiesta R5’s power steering quit mid-race. “It felt like arm-wrestling a rhino,” Nasser joked after finishing fourth. Spectators were equally amused, with one shouting, “Who needs a gym membership when you’ve got rallying?”

Michael Mukula Jr. and co-driver Siraj Kyambade defied the odds and a 4-minute, 50-second penalty to win the Division 1 category. Driving a Subaru Impreza N14, the duo finished in 1:23:11, just 19 seconds ahead of Aine Sodo and Asuman Mohammed in their Mitsubishi Evo X (1:23:30). Dr. Godfrey Nsereko and JB Musisi, piloting a humble Toyota RunX, wrapped up the podium with a time of 1:38:53.

Division 2 was a rollercoaster from start to finish. Musa Segaabwe and co-driver Mathias Kiyegga almost rolled their Mitsubishi Evo 9 in the opening stage but recovered to win their category. Segaabwe described the moment as “a free trial of life flashing before my eyes.”

In second were Hajji Amir Kavuma and Kenneth Kavuma, who clocked 1:34:07 in their Subaru Impreza Hatchback. Mansoor Lubega and Doreen Nabirah secured third in their Toyota Corolla (1:37:19).

Edward Kirumira and Monica Birwinyo were unstoppable in the 2WD category, attacking from the word go to win with a time of 1:31:38 in their Toyota Corolla. Hot on their heels was Hajji Amir Kavuma, enjoying his career-best finish (1:34:07), while Julius Semambo and Jafari Lukenge placed third in their Toyota Sprinter (1:35:54).

The CRC category belonged to Walter Kibande and Duncan Katumba in their Subaru Impreza GC8, who finished in a flawless 54:29.5. Following were Ssentongo Kiggundu and Yusuf Babu (57:28.4) and the Mbarara-based crew of Topher Katera and Noordin Bilal (1:01:04).

Young talent Kevin Bebeto, with co-driver Mwambazi Lawrence, hit a bump—literally—in the first stage, damaging their Subaru N10’s suspension. Despite the setback, they managed to finish fourth, proving resilience is key in motorsport.

The rally wasn’t without its casualties. Peter Kalule had a near-roll in the power stage, leaving his car looking like it had gone through a blender. Sadat Negomba wasn’t any luckier, rolling his Toyota FX mere meters from the finish.

The Lumala@60 Mum@90 Birthday Rally delivered everything rally fans dream of speed, skill, and sheer unpredictability. With Ponsiano Lwakataka’s dominant start, the 2025 UNRC season promises to be a thrill ride.

As Lwakataka himself declared, “This snake’s just getting started. Bring on the next rally!”