Mangat returns as 38 drivers confirmed for Rukaari Mbarara Rally

Rally ace Jas Mangat will return to Mbarara for the Rukaari Mbarara Rally which is the opener for the 2023 National Rally Championship (NRC) next weekend.

Mangat who last raced in the fateful 2019 edition that ended prematurely following an accident that claimed a life in the final section of the race in which he eventually was declared the winner, returns after having missed the last two national championships.

Driving a Mitsubishi EVO X, the driver who has won three Mbarara Rally titles, was among the last elite drivers to make the final list of 38 crews as event registration closed on Friday.

Fred Busulwa and Joseph Bongole finished second last year. Photo by Aloysius Byamukama

“We are set for the event and everything is in place. The sections are very okay and the drivers will enjoy the challenge. We want to keep reminding the people that will come to watch the cars, to be more careful and avoid being near the roads,” said the clerk of the course, Aaron Nsamba.

Defending champion Ponsiano Lwakataka who has won the most Mbarara Rally titles (4) will not take part but Duncan Mubiru who rolled his Subaru Impreza GVB in last year’s edition, returns with a Ford Fiesta Proto, rivalled by Yasin Nasser in a Ford Fiesta Nemo R5 and 2016 winner Ronald Ssebuguzi in a Ford Fiesta.

Reigning NRC champion Byron Rugomoka makes his maiden appearance in a Mitsubishi EVO X and Fred Kitaaka (Subaru Impreza) who finished second, third-placed Godfrey Aine Kaguta (Subaru Impreza), homeboy Jonas Kasiime (Mitsubishi Evo 8) and hopeful Hassan Alwi Jr (Subaru Impreza N14) all make the list.

Aine Godfrey Sodo (right) and co-driver Derrick Lubambula finished 3rd in 2022. Photo by Aloysius Byamukama

Local heroes Happy Katehangwa (Subaru Impreza), Yasin Mukasa (Toyota FX), Didas Matsiko (Subaru Impreza N14) and Christopher Bebaanza Kateera (Subaru Impreza GC8) who will compete as a guest driver, are also in contention.

The event organised by FMU and MPU will have seven sections including the super special stage at the 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 the booma.

Day two will see competition in four 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 78.5km.

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 2WD

Didas Matsiko /Francis Wamala - Subaru Impreza N14 2WD

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