From Lorry to rally driver: Bushenyi’s Bebanza ready for Mbarara Rally

Feb 02, 2023

Bebanza, who has registered to take part in the coming Rukaari Mbarara City rally due February 10 to 12, will be racing in his second competition after the Boona-Rukungiri rally late last year, which became his maiden appearance.

Bebanza Christopher Kateera with his Subaru Impreza GC 8. Photo by Aloysius Byamukama

Aloysius Byamukama
Journalist @New Vision

Every successful athlete has a story behind their cause for choosing to take part in a sport, and this is not different with rookie rally driver Bebanza Christopher Kateera.

Bebanza, who has registered to take part in the coming Rukaari Mbarara City rally due February 10 to 12, will be racing in his second competition after the Boona-Rukungiri rally late last year, which became his maiden appearance.

The 43-year-old fromRutooma village, Numba parish, Bumbaire sub-county, Igara in Bushenyi district says he has been forced to take on the sport to emulate the fallen rally ace Charles Muhangi (RIP) for Bushenyi and the entire motor rally community.

“We grew up with a strong love for motor sport because of our brother and neighbour Charles Muhangi. It’s a pity that after him, no one else joined the sport from our area. This is what has driven me into this sport to keep the name of our hero alive in our community,” Bebanza said.

The Kituzi drink-sponsored driver is a mechanic and driver of heavy-duty vehicles and currently operates a sand-carrying and delivering business using a Sinotruck in the areas of Ishaka, Bushenyi, Rubirizi, and Mitooma.

“Off the sport, I do sand business and I will still keep doing this business to maintain my participation since this sport needs a lot of money,” Bebanza adds.

Bebanza who will be pushing in his Subaru Impreza GC 8, is attached to Southern Motor Club, which sounds different from his icon and the late Muhangi who was a founding member of Mbarara Motor Club (MMC).

Registration for the event organized by FMU and MPU closes on Friday, February 3. It will have 7 sections including the super special stage at Booma grounds in the heart of Mbarara City.

The drivers will compete in the first section named Mwesigwa Rukaari, the longest running from Mwesigwa resort to Biharwe for 44.46km and the Bam Petroleum section from Biharwe to Kakoba for 15.5km before the 4.12km special sprint stage at Booma.

Day two will see competition in 4 sections, the Ex-Effect section running from Ibanda road to Biharwe for 25.78km, repeating the Bam petroleum section, the Bishop Jungu Kainobwisho section of 9.31km, the Bright Rwamirama section from Kaberebere to Kakoba for 19.3km for a total competitive distance 134km and liaison 78.5k,

 

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