From Bushenyi To A Battle With Makinen

By Douglas MazuneCHARLES Muhangi may have made the journey from Bushenyi to the top of African rallying look easy, but he thinks it is too hard for his children raised in Kampala.“I wouldn’t encourage my children to join rallying. It is very expensive and hard. Just read through all the notes you have on me and see how difficult it has been,” he told The New Vision when asked about Muhangi Junior.Muhangi is father of two teenagers, a boy and girl who he encourages to play football and tennis but not to follow him into rallying. He first went into business, because he says it is easier.“My father was in the transport business and I took up the same business,” Muhangi said.The rally ace was born on September 20, 1957, at Bumbire, Igara County in Bushenyi district. After his secondary school education at St. Mary’s College Kabale, he joined the transport business. Seen by many as temperamental as a driver, he is calculative and calm in the business, which he started with a few trucks and is now the proud owner of a fleet of Horizon buses. His Safari adventure continues his love with the sport that could see him become the greatest Ugandan driver.Muhangi who started his career in October 1995 came from mediocrity in July 1998 when he acquired a Subaru Impreza which the fans dubbed the Ekitaguriiro(a traditional dance from western Uganda). After winning the national championship in 1998, he became the first Ugandan to be crowned Africa champion in 1999.His first attempt at the Safari rally, the world’s toughest event in 1997, ended after just 15 kilometres.“I used soft tyres and rims. I didn’t know it was so tough. It was such a bad feeling that I blame on lack of experience,” Muhangi said. “That can’t happen again,” he promised.His former navigator Stephen Byaruhanga also thinks it cannot happen again. “He is good at avoiding unexpected hazards,” he said.Federation of Motor Sport Clubs of Uganda (FMU) president Jack Wavamunno is another believer. Muhangi can achieve his goal of finishing the Safari, he says.“Muhangi is a man who has always brought back the car to the finish.”Ends