Uganda’s rally duo Faisal Kayira and Duncan Katumba put up a resilient performance to finish 6th overall in the just-concludedRwanda Huye Rally, held in Butale District over the weekend.
The three-day event flagged off on Friday night with a thrillingqualifying stage in the heart of Huyetown, where fans packed the streets to witness high-octane action. Driving their Subaru Impreza GC8, Kayira and Katumba showcased impressive pace, ending the opening day in 4th position, setting the tone for a competitive weekend.
Day Two started on a strong note for the Ugandan crew, who were seeded third on the road. However, their momentum was interrupted by a steering rack failure, forcing them to retire mid-stage. The team’s determination, however, shone through as they managed to fix the issue and rejoined the rally under Super Rally rules.
On the final day, disaster struck again when a ball joint broke, threatening their chances of a decent finish. But true to their fighting spirit, the pair battled through the mechanical setbacks, keeping their Subaru alive to cross the finish line securing 6th overall.
The event was ultimately won by Rwanda’s Christian Kanangire, who dominated the stages with consistent pace and flawless execution.
Despite the setbacks, Kayira and Katumba’s performance drew praise from fans and fellow competitors for their perseverance and sportsmanship
It has been a day filled with action, dust, and drama in the 6th round of the National Rally Championship the CMC Rajiv Ruparelia Memorial Rally 2025. From the first flag-off, it was clear that the rally gods had come hungry for stories, and boy, did they serve!
The day began on a promising note for Southern Motor Club’s (SMC) seasoned driver Ponsiano Lwakataka, who was right in the mix with Ronald Sebuguzi for top honors. Lwakataka stormed through the opening stage with intent, finishing 4th overall, and fans could smell a podium fight brewing. But just as the momentum built up, disaster struck. In the second stage, his Subaru N12 veered off the road and suffered severe damage a heartbreak moment that left his championship hopes hanging by the thinnest of threads.
In true Lwakataka spirit, however, quitting is not part of the vocabulary. The veteran has since managed to fix his car and has vowed to return stronger tomorrow, hoping that Sebuguzi, his main rival, might falter and give him a lifeline in the title chase.
But while Lwakataka’s rally took an unfortunate twist, SMC’s flag continues to fly high through Peter Kalule and David Mwesigwa, who are putting up a spirited fight. The duo currently sit 4th overall, just behind Sebuguzi and ahead of Aine Sodo, who holds 5th position after a consistent display.
Further down the leaderboard, Faizal Kayira, co-driven by Prosperous Namara in a Subaru GC8, occupies 15th overall after a steady day behind the wheel.
In the 2WD class, SMC’s Julious “Mukalo” Semambo and Jaffer Lukenge are proving once again why they are among the most entertaining crews in the division. The pair currently lie 2nd, right behind the in-form Mansoor Lubega, who dominated most of the day. However, Semambo snatched a sweet stage win in the second loop of the Super Special Stage a clear statement that he’s not backing down without a fight.
As Day 1 comes to an end, the battle lines have been drawn. The rivalry between Mansoor Lubega and Julious Semambo in 2WD promises fireworks tomorrow, while fans wait to see if Lwakataka’s overnight repairs will yield a heroic comeback.
The sixth round of the Uganda National Rally Championship (NRC), the CMC Rajiv Ruparelia Memorial Rally 2025, is set to take place this weekend in Gulu District. The event is expected to play a decisive role in determining the champions across all categories NRC, 2WD, and CRC as the season draws closer to its conclusion.
With five rounds completed and only two remaining, the championship battle remains tight. Ronald Sebuguzi and co-driver Anthony Mugambwa currently lead the NRC standings with 241 points, maintaining their advantage through consistency rather than outright wins. Despite not securing a single event victory this season, Sebuguzi’s steady performance has kept him at the top.
Close behind is Ponsiano Lwakataka, who has dominated the season with four wins out of five events, accumulating 235 points. Together with co-driver Paul Musazi, the pair will be competing in Gulu for the first time, determined to close the gap and potentially take the championship lead.
In third place is the young crew of Musa Ssegaabwe and Mathias Kiyegga with 207.5 points. The crew, competing in their debut NRC season after winning last year’s CRC title, has impressed with their consistent finishes. They are already preparing for an exciting 2026 season where they plan to unveil a new N5-spec car.
Further down the standings, Aine Sodo lies fourth with 140.5 points, Duncan Mubiru fifth with 138 points, and Michael Mukula sixth with 131 points, although Mukula will not participate in this event.
The rally will take place on Friday and Saturday, a shift from the traditional Saturday-Sunday format. The schedule has been adjusted to align with the Gulu City Carnival, where the rally will serve as a major highlight of the weekend festivities.
This year’s stages will follow routes similar to those used in 2024, with a few modifications. The familiarity of the terrain is expected to result in higher speeds and tighter competition as drivers aim to maximize points in the final stretch of the season.
The 2WD Championship remains one of the closest contests this year, with only 1.5 points separating the top two crews. Julious Semambo and Jaffer Lukenge currently lead the class with 86.5 points, followed closely by Mansoor Lubega and Bukenya Roald with 85 points.
Both crews head into Gulu with a clear objective to secure victory and strengthen their title chances. In third place is Haji Amir Kavuma (65.5 points), followed by Edward Kirumira (60.5 points), Ibrahim Lubega (52.5 points), and Haji Senyonjo (33 points). Last year’s 2WD champion, Ibrahim Lubega, will be looking to bounce back after a challenging season.
The Clubman Rally Championship (CRC) continues to showcase emerging talent. Leading the standings is Walter Kibande alongside Rasta Farian codriver Duncan Katumba, with 75 points. The pair have displayed remarkable consistency, maintaining their position at the top since the season began.
In second place are Ahmed Kateete and Morgan Serugga with 60 points, while Kevin Bebeeto and Siraj Kyambade are third with 57 points. Bebeeto, who has shown great promise this season, remains optimistic about closing the gap in the remaining rounds. The CRC title race is still open, and the Gulu round will play a significant role in shaping the final standings.
A total of 27 crews have confirmed their entries for the rally, featuring both championship contenders and strong independent competitors. Among them are notable names such as Duncan Mubiru, Omar Dauda, and Oscar Ntambi, who are all expected to add depth and excitement to the event.
