By Mwambazi Lawrence

The CMC Rajiv Ruparelia Memorial Rally 2025, the 6th round of the Uganda National Rally Championship (UNRC), has roared to a thrilling conclusion  and when the dust finally settled, it was Duncan Mubiru standing tall once again.

Navigating alongside Joseph Kamya in their Ford Fiesta Proto, Mubiru delivered a masterclass of pace and composure to seal victory in a total time of 1:04:10. After inheriting the lead from Hassan Alwi Jr on Day 1, the Kikankane crew refused to look back, taming the treacherous Gulu terrain to claim their 2^nd major win of the season in style.

Hot on his heels, Ronald Sebuguzi and Anthony Mugambwa brought their Ford Fietsa proto home in second place with a time of 1:05:44, tightening their grip on the 2025 national championship. With this strong finish, the pair have now extended their overall lead in the standings  and with just one round left, the title seems almost within touching distance.

Completing the podium was Aine Sodo, codriven by Asuman Mohammed, who enjoyed his best performance of the season with a clean and consistent run in his Mitsubishi Evo X, clocking 1:13:54.

Peter Kalule and David Mwesigwa guided their Subaru Impreza XV to a solid fourth in 1:14:42, while Oscar Ntambi and Pius Luggya rounded out the top five.

Meanwhile, it was heartbreak for Hassan Alwi Jr and Musa Nsubuga. After dominating early stages, a puncture on Day 2 dropped their Ford Fiesta Proto from second to sixth overall, a cruel twist of fate that denied them a potential podium.

Musa Ssegaabwe and Mathias Kiyega, who had been strong title contenders, were undone by a puncture on Day 1 that cost them over nine minutes, relegating them to seventh place  a result that leaves their championship hopes in tatters. Haruna Kataaza, Isaac Sozzi, and 2WD ace Mansoor Lubega completed the top 10.

In the ever-competitive 2WD category, Mansoor Lubega and Ronald Bukenya, piloting their trusty Toyota Corolla, once again proved their dominance with a commanding class win in 1:22:51. With one round remaining, Mansoor now edges closer to clinching the 2WD title, capping off what has been a season of pure consistency and calculated aggression.

The Kavuma Amir and Kenneth  Kavuma were a joy to watch in their Subaru Impreza 2WD, finishing second in 1:28:28 after a clean and well-managed rally.

Former class leaders Julius Semambo and Jaffer Kamya, who started the event leading the championship, had a tough weekend. They could only manage third with a time of 1:39:37, a result that leaves their title hopes hanging by a thread. Edward Kirumira and Monica Birwinyo came in fourth, while Samuel Watendwa closed out the top five.

In the Clubman Rally Championship (CRC), Walter Kibande and Duncan Katumba were once again untouchable. Their faultless drive in a Subaru Impreza saw them finish in 1:50:19, further extending their lead and all but securing the CRC Championship title for 2025.

Ahmed Kateete and Morgan Serugga, also in a Subaru GC8, claimed second in 1:59:13, maintaining their position on the leaderboard despite being mathematically out of reach of the title.

Denis Bahizi and Eva Louise Waikamp finished third in 2:02:00, followed by Odeon Tumwebaze / Hussein Mukuye and Nasib Sessanga in fourth and fifth, respectively.

However, the biggest heartbreak of the weekend belonged to Kevin Bebeto and Siraj Kyambadde. After leading the CRC class on Day 1, their rally came undone in the opening stage of Day 2 when their bonnet flew open, followed by engine overheating issues, forcing them into an early retirement  a crushing blow to their title ambitions.

With the CMC Rajiv Ruparelia Memorial Rally now in the books, the 2025 season heads into its grand finale   to be held in Hoima or Mbale. The final showdown will decide the few remaining championship battles, but one thing is clear: Sebuguzi and Mugambwa have one hand firmly on the national crown, while Mansoor Lubega and Walter Kibande are cruising toward their class titles.