Christopher Bebanza Kateera has been such a patient budding driver, waiting his time to be entered and recognized as a competitor ever since joining the Uganda motorsport family two years ago.

The determined pedal accelerator, has only been entered as a route opener which he did successfully in the last Mbarara Rally event last year and that of Fort Portal.

And in this year’s edition of the Mbarara City rally due this weekend, Bebanza, will be battling it out as a competitor in the Club Man’s Rally Championship (CRC) category, the upgrade he feels will push him to his first podium appearance in the sport he loves.

“I have been waiting for this time and here it comes and I want to prove to the motorsport family that I am a capable competitor from Bushenyi. I have tried this from the events I have taken part as a route opener and posting encouraging times, and i am sure with competition proper, I will do my best,” Kateera said.

The 44 year old, born of Rutooma village, Numba parish, Bumbaire sub-county, igara in Bushenyi district is a former sprinter during his school days at Mbarara High School, says he came into motorsport of late, under the inspiration of fallen rally ace Charles Muhangi (RIP).

And it is this inspiration, that the current mechanic and heavy duty truck driver trading in sand, is being driven to a good finish on his maiden competitive race come this weekend.

“We grew up with a strong love for motor sport because of our brother and neighbor Charles Muhangi. And I am the only one that is representing Bushenyi in the sport that put our area on the map and this will be my time to prove that I am capable of rejuvenating this history,” He said.

The Buturo Sacco sponsored driver who is attached to Southern Motor Club, will be pushing in his Subaru Impreza GC8, against 7 other competitors in his category, among whom, is favourite Musa Ssegaabwe/Mathias Kiyega in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9.

Others eying the podium in the first event of the 2024 CRC campaign include Hajj Ahmed Senyonjo/Hamza Ssengabi in a Toyota Corolla, John Paul Kyebambe/Mungufeni Phinehas (Subaru Impreza GC8), Odeon Niwagaba (Toyota Altezza), Kataza Haruna/Mariam Nambasa (Subaru Impreza N10) and Brian Kavuma/Eric Lubuuka in a Subaru Impreza.