The Rukaari Mbarara City rally is on this weekend in parts of Mbarara, Kiruhura, and Isingiro, but Mbarara and Western region rally fans have taken long without witnessing their climb to the podium for an accolade in the sport that has increasingly gathered masses in the region.

Their support has seen limited celebrations caused by drivers such as Jonas Kansiime, Ambrose Byoona ‘Omunyeto’, Wilberforce Pole Pole (RIP), Desh Kananura, and Robert Kakogoso to mention.

But these only could have been trying to make it to the level of enjoyment Charles Muhangi (RIP) left the fans with his heroics, much better than the aforementioned drivers of the yesteryears.

Didas Matsiko during the February Mbarara Rally

Today, Mbarara-based rally drivers have found it a hard challenge to compete successfully in the Mbarara rally challenge due to a couple of challenges they face.

This has left home fans to turn their attention to the elite drivers who have always stormed the FMU calendar opener in style, with powerful machines.

The local fans here are treated to the new set of drivers in Happy David Katehangwa (Subaru Impreza), Didas Matsiko (Subaru Impreza N12), and Yassin Mukasa (Toyota FX) in addition to Christopher Bebanza Kateera, who has taken the sport by storm with a Subaru Impreza GC8 but will race in the Rukaari Mbarara rally as a guest driver.

The trio now come afresh with a determination to break the jinx and have all confirmed their participation in this weekend’s Rukaari Lake Mburo Mbarara Rally with a promise.

“I have rebranded and worked on my car and it’s in good condition so I am ready for the challenge. I could not secure a new one in time for this event but I promise, with the same car, our home fans should expect a good one from me this time,” Said Happy Katehangwa.

Similarly, Didas Matsiko who did not finish in last year’s event as he rolled out, expressed readiness for the event.

“I am very ready and prepared this time. It is the same car that I rolled but has been stabilized now. I want to give me all to make our fans happy and also tussle it out for an accolade in my category,” Matsiko said.

Arguably, the likes of Ronald Ssebugizi (Ford Fiesta), Yasin Nasser (Ford Fiesta Nemo R5), and Duncan Mubiru (Ford Fiesta proto) are in the front seat of competition, but the trio can push their way through in their respective categories.

Rukaari Mbarara Rally 2023 entries

Sempera Kakule/Nurdin Bilal -  Subaru Impreza Gc8.

Faizal Kayira/Monica Birwinyo - Subaru impreza.

Mansur Lubega/Arthur Lugolobi - Toyota Levin.

Oscar Ntambi / Asuman Muhamed -  Toyota  Alteza.

Godfrey Aine Kaguta/Derrick Lubambula - Subaru Impreza.

Rashid Makumbi / Babu Yusuf Jr - Evo X

Isaac Ssozi / Jackson Sserwanga - Subaru Impreza N8

Giliberto Balondemu /Walujjo - Run X

Umaru Dauda / Bunya Steven - Evo 6

Ibrahim Lubega /Another - Toyota Fx

Innocent Bwamiki /Hamza Lwanga - Evo 9

Godfrey Kiyimba/ Urban Mulindwa - Subaru Impreza N8

Happy R.Katehangwa /Denis Tibenda - Subaru Impreza

Yasin Mukasa /Duncan Katumba - Toyota Fx

Okello Moses/Ismail Musoke-Toyota Vitz

Muwanguzi Joshua /Ritah Nakigozi - Subaru Impreza N12

Mustapha Kasagga /Another-Subaru Impreza

Issa Nyanzi/ Another - Subaru Impreza N10

Lugayizi Japheth - Ali Nsubuga -Toyota Celica

Muhammad Bwete/Another - Mitsubishi 9

Nasser Mutebi / Mbogo Bashiru - Mitsubishi Evo 9

Kirumira Edward / Gloria Nantongo- Toyota

Samuel Watendwa/Isaac Lumu - Toyota Run x

WO1 Lule Ismail /Alivin Luyimbazi - VW Golf

Peter Genus/Kevin Lubamula- Toyota

Peter Kalule / John Bosco Musisi- Subaru Impreza XV

Mustapha Mukasa /Pius Luggya - Subaru Impreza N12

Umaru Kakyama/Robert Katabawa - Ford Fiesta

Didas Matsiko /Francis Wamala- Subaru Impreza N14

Ismail Otega/ Joseph Lutalo Jr - Toyota Run X

Fred Kitaaka/ Midred Kibuuka - Subaru Impreza

Ronald Sebuguzi /Anthony Mugambwa- Ford Fiesta

Byron Rugomoka- Hakim Muwanda - Mitsubishi EVO X

Jonas Kasiime /Another-Mistubishi Evo 8

Duncan Mubiru /Joseph Bongole - Ford Fiesta proto

Yasin Nasser /Ali Katumba- Ford Fiesta Nemo R5

Hassan Alwi Jr / Musa Nsubuga - Subuaru Impreza N14

Jas Mangat /Joseph Kamya - Mitsubishi Evo X