Duncan 'Kikankane' Mubiru will be trying to defend his title when the National Rally Championship (NRC) gets underway this weekend in Mbarara.

To be navigated by Musa Nsubuga, Mubiru is one of the 35 drivers and crews that have registered to take part in the Rukaari-Lake Mburo Mbarara Rally.

The NRC season opener, which was launched on Sunday at the Mwesigwa Resort in Lake Mburo National Park is sponsored by Mbarara North City MP Robert Mwesigwa Rukaari.

Kikankane won last year’s title after amassing more than 400 points from six rally competitions.

He also won the inaugural Rukaari rally in 2020. Last year the rally did not happen owing to COVID-19.

Speaking during the launch on Sunday in Mbarara, Rukaari said motorsport helps put the country onto the global map.

“Motorsport helps to put our country, cities, and communities on the map,” he said. 

“It also attracts both foreign and local tourism that in turn increases our revenues in our businesses and government,” Rukaari added.

Below is the list of registered crews;

RUKAARI LAKE MBURO MBARARA RALLY 2022
1.Didas Masiko /Alfred Mutanda Subaru impreza N12
2.Happy Richard K /Mwambazi Lawrence Subaru Impreza GC8
3.Yassin Mukasa/Duncan  katumba Toyota Fx
4.Samuel Watedwa/Steven Bunya Toyota Fx
5.Rashid Makumbi/Yusuf Babu Subaru Impreza N12
6.Dr Maseruka Henry/Denis Tibenda Toyota Runex
7.John Barrows Luumu/Joseph Lutalo - Subaru Impreza N14
8.Fred Busuulwa Kitaka/Joseph Bongole - Subaru Impreza N10
9.Ibrahim Lubega/Geoffrey Serwoga Toyota Fx
10.Patrick Ruyonga/Shakirah Nabwami Toyota Fx
11.Julius Semambo/Diana Nagawa Toyota Fx
12.Samuel Bwete/Urban Mulidwa Evo9
13.Umar Dauda/Hamuza lwanga Evo6
14.Michael Mukula Jnr/Siraje Kyambadde--Subaru lmpreza N12
15.Mustapha Mukasa/Mildred Kibuuka--Subaru impreza N12
16.Dr.Ashraf Ahmed/Shameer Yusuf- Subaru Impreza N 14
17.Duncan Mubiru/ Musa Nsubuga-Subaru Impreza GVB
18. Dr.Nsereko Godfrey/ Sserwanga Jackson- Subaru Impreza GC8 
19. Arthur Blick Jr /Alestair Blick- Evo X
20. Oscar Ntambi/Asuman Muhammad- Toyota Altezza
21.Ponsiano lwakataka/Paul musaazi Subaru Impreza N12
22.Sebuguzi Ronald/Anthony Mugabwa Evox
23.Jas Mangat/ Joseph Kamaya Evox
24.Mark Lubega/Unisan Bakunda Subaru Impreza
25.Omar mayanja/Hussien Mukuye Evox
26.Aine Godfrey /Derrick lumbabula Evo9
27.Musa Mukasa/Isaac Lumu Gc8;
28.Watolya Muzamir Mwami/Abdul Karim --T RunX
29.Peter Gensi/Kevin Lubambula ToyotaCelica
30.Robert Kasana /Pius S. Subaru Impreza.
31.Edward Kirumira/Katabalwa Robert--Toyota Curren
32.Najib Ssempijja/Gloria Nantongo--Suzuki Swift
33.Wo Ismael Luke/Nabila Doreen VW Golf
34.Peter Businge/Mawanda Hakim Subaru Gc8
35.Umar kakyama/Timothy Gawaya Ford fiesta