Rally driver Musa Ssegaabwe aims for redemption after disqualification

Rally driver Musa Ssegaabwe is hoping for a strong finish at the upcoming Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally after a disappointing start to his season.

At the season-opening MPU Mbale Rally on March 28, Ssegaabwe and his navigator Mathias Kiyega finished second overall.

However, they were later disqualified because officials found they had received unauthorized mechanical help between two stages. This broke the competition rules.

The disqualification cost them a podium finish and valuable championship points early in the season. The result was especially painful because it was the first race for their new, more powerful Škoda Fabia RS N5.

Despite the setback, Ssegaabwe is not giving up. He is among 55 crews confirmed for the Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally, set for May 7–9 in Mbarara and Kiruhura districts. Drivers from Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, and Rwanda will take part.

Competing under the Segaamu 14 team, Ssegaabwe and Kiyega are focused on moving forward.

“The focus is now on the upcoming event; we are putting the past behind us,” Ssegaabwe said.

The rally will cover about 201.85 kilometers of competitive stages and 367.31 kilometers of non-competitive sections, totaling around 569.16 kilometers over three days.