Rukaari-Mbarara rally winners and losers

Ponsiano Lwakataka claimed a podium finish in the Rukaari-Mbarara rally after clocking 1:32:33:42 hours, beating his closest challenger Fred Busulwa who came second on 1:40:11:78 and fast-improving Aine Godfrey Sodo, who came 3rd on 1:43:48:00. 

Lwakataka went on to emerge winner in the event, after collecting two other trophies for winning the two sections designed in memory of fallen Mbarara Motor Club and national rally icons Charles Muhangi and Wilberforce Pole Pole, having fallen two minutes behind on day one, when his car tire got a puncture and also his fan belt got issues.

The win was Lwakataka’s first in several national events, and also compensation for his failure in the 2020 edition which he was poised to win but dropped out after swerving off the road as he avoided a head-on collision.

Fred Busulwa and Joseph Bongole

The day’s other big winners were the crew of Fred Busulwa and Joseph Bongole who came second, with the pair slowly but surely coming into the top positions following their 3rd finish in the 2021 Jinja Rally.

Aine Godfrey Sodo and Derrick Lubambura in a Mitsubishi EVO9 came third to complete the podium trio and also won the division 2 category, as 11 of the 25 crews that entered the event, managed to finish.

Duncan Mubiru had entered the race with an expectation of making a fine start to his NRC title defence but only got disappointed when his Subaru Impreza GVB failed to push any further in the second section of the event on Saturday.

Likewise, Jinja rally winner and 2014 NRC champions Ronald Ssebuguzi dropped out after the special super stage on Saturday with another contender and 2015 NRC champion Arthur Blick Jr also going out at the same stage, while Jas Mangat, Omar Mayanja, Yasin Nasser did not take part even when they had registered.

Blick had entered the rally with a car suspension problem as he said he was using a spare one as the new one had not yet arrived

Edward Kirumira finished fourth with national rally icon Charlie Lubega's son Mark Lubega showing the traits of his father, coming fifth on his first time of asking.

The Clubman rally championship title went to Rashid Makumbi/Yusuf Babu in a Subaru Impreza after clocking 1:04:22:92, to beat Julius Ssemambo/Diana Nagawa in a Toyota FX  who took second on 1:13:16:26 with Henry Maseruka/Denis Tibenda in a Toyota Runx coming 3rd after finishing in 1:19:45:53 hours.

Edward Kirumira/Robert Katabalwa in a Toyota Curren won the 2 wheel drive category at 1:51:20:78 hours beating Samuel Watendwa/Stephen Bunya in a Toyota FX that finished in 2:08:37:68 hours while Ibrahim Lubega/Geoffrey Sserwoga in a Toyota FX came third 2:14:07:83.

Top 5 Mbarara Rally finishers 

1. Ponsiano Lwakataka / Paul Musaazi -Subaru Impreza 1:32:33:42 

2.  Fred Busulwa/ Joseph Bongole - Subaru 1:40:11:78 

3 . Aine Sodo / D. Lubambula - Evo9 N 1:43:48:00  

4. E. Kirumira/ Robert Katabalwa -Toyota Curren 1:51:20:78 

5. Mark Lubega/ D. Mbabazi - Subaru Impreza 1:56:40:64  

CRC top three

1-Rashid Makumbi/Yusuf Babu-Subaru Impreza 1:04:22:92

2-Julius Ssemambo/Diana Nagawa-Toyota FX 1:13:16:26

3-Henry Maseruka/Denis Tibenda-Toyota Runx 1:19:45:53

2WD category

1-Edward Kirumira/Robert Katabalwa-Toyota Curren 1:51:20:78

2-Samuel Watendwa/Stephen Bunya-Toyota FX 2:08:37:68

3-Ibrahim Lubega/Geoffrey Sserwoga-Toyota FX 2:14:07:83

Past Mbarara rally winners

2022-Ponsiano Lwakata

2021-Not held

2020-Duncan Mubiru

2019-Jas Mangat

2018-Jas Mangat

2017-Omar Mayanja

2016-Ronald Ssebuguzi

2015-Duncan Mubiru

2014-Duncan Mubiru

2013-Ponsiano Lwakataka

2012-Jas Mangat

2011-Susan Muwonge

2010-Ponsiano Lwakataka

2009-Ronald Ssebuguzi

2008-Dr Ahmed Ashraf

2007-Ponsiano Lwakataka

NRC past winners

2022-?

2020/2021-Duncan Mubiru

2019-Yasin Nasser

2018-Susan Muwonge

2017- Christakis Fitidis

2016- Jas Mangat

2015- Arthur Blick Junior

2014- Ronald Ssebuguzi

2013- Jas Mangat

2012- Jas Mangat

2011- Susan Muwonge

2010-Nasser Mutebi

2009- Ronald Ssebuguzi

2008-Dr Ashraf Ahmed

2007-Ponsiano Lwakataka

2006-Ronald Ssebuguzi

2005-Ponsiano Lwakataka

2004-Charlie Lubega

2003-Moses Lumala

2002-Charlie Lubega

2001-Charlie Lubega

2000-Charlie Lubega

1999-Moses Lumala