Thrilling start to Gulu Rally
Ssegamu, navigated by Mathias Kiyega in a Skoda Proto, drew first blood by winning the first run.
Hassan Alwi powers his Ford Fiesta at the Super Stage at Kauda Grounds. PHOTO: Johnson Were
Top rally crews Duncan "Kikankane" Mubiru, Hassan Alwi, and Musa Ssegamu (alias Okello) put up a thrilling show to excite motorsport fans in Gulu during the opening day of the event.
Ssegamu, navigated by Mathias Kiyega in a Skoda Proto, drew first blood by winning the first run.
He clocked the fastest time of two minutes and 21.9 seconds, narrowly beating Hassan Alwi and co-driver Musa Nsubuga in a Ford Fiesta Proto, who posted two minutes and 22.1 seconds.
Veteran driver Moses Lumala, navigated by Cedric Buzabo, came third in two minutes and 22.5 seconds, while Duncan Mubiru finished fourth.
In the second run, Mubiru put up a spirited fight, posting a blistering time of two minutes and 19.9 seconds to claim the fastest time of the heat.
However, Alwi's consistency proved unbeatable, allowing him to top the Day One leaderboard with a cumulative time of four minutes and 43.1 seconds.
He edged out Duncan "Kikankane" Mubiru, who finished second overall in four minutes and 43.8 seconds—just 0.7 seconds behind the leader.
On Saturday, the crews will battle it out in the decisive competitive stages, with Alwi squarely focused on maintaining his lead at the top of the championship log.
Duncan Mubiru powers his Ford Fiesta at the Super Stage at Kauda Grounds. PHOTO: Johnson Were
The steady and focused International University of East Africa (IUEA) sponsored driver remarked, "We are going to take it easy because our primary focus is finishing the rally in a good position."
The sixth round of the KCB National Rally Championship has attracted a total of 26 crews.