Young rally star Bebeto ready for NRC season

Uganda’s National Rally Championship (NRC) is set for an exciting season as 20-year-old driver Kevin Bebeto prepares to challenge the sport’s top names.

Bebeto has upgraded to a powerful Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX, a car with a strong history in East African rallying.

It was previously driven by Kenyan Alastair Cavanagh and Tanzanian Dharam Pandya. With this machine, Bebeto’s chances in the 2026 season look brighter than ever.

He began his rally career in 2023 with a Toyota RunX, showing speed and determination. Last year, he moved to a Subaru Impreza N10 and finished third in the Clubman Rally Championship (CRC). Now, with the Evo IX, he is aiming higher and drawing comparisons to Kenyan champion Karan Patel, though Bebeto insists he wants to build his own legacy.

“I do not seek comparisons. I drive as myself, with my own style. My goal is to be remembered for what I achieve. Getting a better car is a big step in my career, and I entrust everything to God,” Bebeto said.

He will be partnered by experienced co-driver Lawrence Mwambazi, whose role in guiding him through tough stages will be crucial.

Rallying runs in Bebeto’s family. His uncle Kuku Ranjit was a well-known driver in the late 1990s and early 2000s, competing against Uganda’s rally greats before retiring in 2006.

The 2026 NRC season begins with the Mbale City Rally on March 27–28, where Bebeto will start his campaign to make history.