Mbarara Rally attracts 44 crews as Mangat skips event
Jan 21, 2025
Among the late entrants are the crew of homeboy Didas Matsiko and Joseph Bongole in their Subaru Impreza N14, alongside Peter Kalule, Musa Ssegabwe, Vincent Muwanguzi, Denis Bahizi, and Julius Ssemambo.

Yassin signals the victory sign. (Courtesy Photo)

Aloysius Byamukama
Journalist @New Vision
MBARARA - The deadline for late entries on Sunday brought a last-minute surge of participants, adding six more crews to the roster and raising the total to 44 for the highly anticipated Mbarara rally scheduled for this Friday and Saturday.
Initially, 36 drivers met the January 14 registration deadline, but the extended window until Sunday allowed additional competitors to join the thrilling event.
Among the late entrants are the crew of homeboy Didas Matsiko and Joseph Bongole in their Subaru Impreza N14, alongside Peter Kalule, Musa Ssegabwe, Vincent Muwanguzi, Denis Bahizi, and Julius Ssemambo.
However, reigning National Rally Championship (NRC) champion Jas Mangat remains absent and will not be vying for honours and top points in the FMU calendar opener.
The Piri-piri rally team driver will be the only top contender not showing up, having declined to register even after a grace period for late registration.
“I will not go to Mbarara because I have other commitments,” is all Mangat could say when contacted for comment.
This is the fourth time Mangat is skipping the Mbarara rally, having not taken part in the 2020, 2022, and 2023 events before he returned to win it last year in his newly acquired monster Hyundai i20, having last won it in 2019.
Mangat joins other notable absentees Jonas Kansiime, Hassan Alwi, 2022 NRC champion Byron Rugomoka, and homeboy Happy Katehangwa.
In the absence of top contender Mangat, NRC hopeful and 2023 champion Yassin Nasser returns in his Ford Fiesta Nemo R5 to battle it out against Ronald Ssebuguzi and Duncan Mubiru in Ford Fiesta Protos and returning Nasser Mutebi in his Mitsubishi Evo 9.
Nasser, who won the 2023 Mbarara event with ease, did not defend his crown last year after his car developed problems following his disastrous outing in the Kenya Safari Rally of the Africa Rally Championship.
Doreen Asiimwe, the only female registered for the event, will be taking part in her very first Clubman’s Rally Championship (CRC), having recently joined the sport.
Dubbed Lumala@60Mum@90 Birthday Mbarara in recognition of rally icon Moses Lumala, the championship is, for the third year running, being organised by Motorsport Promotions Uganda (MPU) and Mwesigwa Rukaari Resorts Kibega as the host.
Mbarara Rally 2024 entries
1.Timothy Gawaya / Francis wamala – Ibiza-
2.Hajji Amiri Kavuma/Kavuma Kenneth- Subaru Impreza 2wd-
3.Gilberto Balondemu Gilbert Walugyo - Toyota Vitz-
4.Sadat Negomba/ Another - Toyota Fx-
5.Doreen Asiimwe/ Alvin Luyimbazi-Toyota Fx -
6.Haruna Katazza/ Lumu Isaac -Subaru Impreza N8-
7.Dr.Nsereko Godfrey / John Bosco Musisi - Toyota Run X
8.Kevin Bebeto / Mwambazi Lawrence - Subaru Impreza N10-
9.Ronald Sebuguzi / Mugabwa Anthony-Ford Fiesta Proto-
10.Walter Kibande/ Duncan Katumba- Subaru Impreza Gc8-
11.Adolpien Nshimizimana / Regis Remera- Subaru Impreza-
12.Dr.Maseruka Henry / Denis Tibenda - Toyota Run X -
13.Hajji Ahmed Senyonjo/ Muyanya Sharif - Toyota Corolla-
14.Ssentongo Kiggundu Nkima / Babu Yusuf-Subaru Impreza N10-
15.Topher Kateera/ Noordiin Biraali- Subaru Impreza Gc8-
16.Ssemambo Julius /Lukenge Japhari - Toyota Corolla-
17.Abdul Katete/ Hamza Lwanga -Mitsubishi Evo X-
18.Godfrey Aine Sodo / Asuman Muhammad - Mitsubishi Evo X-
19.Nasser Mutebi / Steven Bunya - Mitsubishi Evo 9-
20.Ismali Lule /Lagwa Denis- VW Golf-
21.Najibu Ssempijja/ Another - Suzuki Swift-
22.Dr.Mustapha Mukasa /Serwoga Godfrey-Mitsubishi Evo 9-
23.Nasibu Ssesanga / Mugulusi Peter Brown Jr- Toyota Celica pick up-
24.Yasin Mukasa / Hamdan Faizal-Subaru Impreza Gc8-
25.Ahmed Katete/ Sserugga Morgan - Subaru Impreza Gc8-
26.Isaac Ssozi / Mariam Nambasa - Subaru Impreza N12-
27.Rasid Makumbi/ Urban Mulindwa - Mitsubishi Evo X -
28.Faizal Kayira / Kamoga-Subaru Impreza Gc8-
29.Jamadah Lwabaga/ Mukose Ismael - Toyota Fx-
30.Ukasha Mugoya / Isabirye Edgar - Subaru Impreza-
31.Lugayizi Japheth / Ali Nsubuga - Toyota Celica-
32.Edward Kirumira / Monica Birwinyo - Toyota Corona-
33.Tumwebaze Odeon / Hussein Mukuye - Toyota Alteeza-
34.Mansur Lubega / Nabira Doreen - Toyota Corolla-
35.Ponsiano Lwakataka / Paul Musaazi -Subaru Impreza N12B-
36.Michael Mukula Jr/ Kyambadde Sirajih - Subaru Impreza N14 -
37.Yasin Nasser / Ali Katumba- Ford Fiesta Nemo-
38.Duncan Mubiru ‘Kikankane’/ Joseph Bongole - Ford Fiesta Proto
39. Didas Matsiko/Joseph Bongole-Subaru Impreza N14
40. Peter Kalule/David Mwesigwa-Subaru Impreza XV
41. Musa Ssegabwe/Mathias Kiyega-Mistubishi Lancer EVO IX
42. Vincent Muwanguzi/Peter Ssenono-Toyota Corolla FX
43. Denis Bahizi/Unisan Bakunda-Subaru Impreza N12
44. Julius Ssemambo/Jafari Lukenge-Toyota Corolla