Lwakataka eyes historic double in Uganda and Rwanda Rally Championships

Ponsiano Lwakataka is set to pursue a historic double header next year by competing in both the Uganda National Rally Championship and the Rwanda National Rally Championship.

Lwakataka disclosed this ambitious plan to Vision Sport after securing a hard-fought second-place finish at the Huye Rally in Rwanda on Sunday, a remarkable feat achieved despite driving his less advanced Subaru Impreza N12B.

"I am happy to finish second in Rwanda, especially since it was my first time competing there. This result proves that I can win their championship in 2027, and I will definitely go for it if resources allow," the two-time Ugandan national champion stated confidently.

"We battled mechanical issues with the fuel pump but kept fighting for a podium position and got it. I am confident we can secure even better results in our upcoming outings," added the veteran driver, who is supported by Bam Petroleum, SMK Tyres and Roma Motors.

If he achieves his target, he will be the second rally driver to compete in two different national championships, the other being Yasin Nasser, who competed in both the Uganda and Tanzania championships.

Navigated by Lawrence Mwambazi, Lwakataka put up a spirited fight on day two of the rally. The duo completed the event in 1 hour, 44 minutes and 56.06 seconds, finishing behind overall winner Giancarlo Davite and co-driver Matteo Davite, who clocked 1:30:41.54 in a Mitsubishi Evo 10. Eric Gakwaya and Aurore Kayibanda rounded out the podium in third place with a time of 1:54:34.83.

The 2005 and 2007 Ugandan National Champion will upgrade his machinery for the 2027 season. He will take the wheel of a more powerful Volkswagen Polo Proto—formerly driven by the late Rajiv Ruparelia as he chases a long-awaited third career NRC title.

The daring driver has confirmed that the KCB UMOSPOC Kabalega Rally, scheduled for November 20–22 in Hoima, will be the event where he debuts his newly acquired car. He noted that he wants to test the top contenders for this year's championship title.

"We ordered some spares that are arriving before the end of this month, but I assure you that we shall be the first entry in the Kabalega Rally. We want to gauge our strength against the top NRC title contenders before next season," said the Kyotera-born driver, popularly known as "Mafu-Mafu."

However, before the Hoima event, drivers will first battle it out in the KCB-UMC Rally in Kyenjojo and Kamwenge on October 30. The regional rally had previously been postponed following the sudden passing of the Omukama of Tooro, Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV.

Huye Rally 2026 Results to five

1. Davite Giancarlo 1:30:41.54

2. Ponsiano Lwakataka 1:44:56.06

3. Gakwaya Eric 1:54:34.83

4. Gakwaya Claude 1:55:57.56

5. Faisal Kayiira 1:55:48.18