BY MWAMBAZI LAWRENCE –

The curtains have officially fallen on the opening round of the KCB National Rally Championship, and while the dust has settled, one thing remains crystal clear Hassan Alwi Jr, co-driven by Musa Nsubuga, stamped their authority in emphatic fashion. Driving a Ford Fiesta Proto, Alwi Jr delivered a commanding performance from the onset, combining vast experience and calculated aggression to outclass the competition.

The crew won six out of the seven stages, eventually sealing victory with a commanding lead of 3 minutes and 28 seconds over their closest challengers. Their dominance throughout the rally left little doubt about their intentions for the 2026 championship season.

Finishing second was the returning crew of Moses Lumala and Cedric Buzabo, also in a Ford Fiesta Proto. Lumala’s performance proved that class never fades. Despite being away from active competition for years, the veteran driver defied expectations to secure a podium finish. He revealed that fatigue nearly forced him out early in the rally, particularly after the first two stages on Day One. However, encouragement from his coach and trainer, Maris Neiksan, reignited his determination and pushed him to the finish.

In one of the standout surprises of the event, Ethiopian-based driver Stefano Verali, alongside Robert Katabalwa, impressed on their first outing together in a Mitsubishi Evo X. The crew showcased remarkable pace and composure to claim a strong third-place finish, signaling serious intent for the season ahead.

Oscar Ntambi and Pius Lugya secured fourth place in another Mitsubishi Evo X, maintaining a consistent pace across the stages. Nasser Mutebi and Emanuel Mugulusi rounded off the top five, also in a Mitsubishi Evo X, capping off a competitive field dominated by experienced crews.

The two-wheel drive (2WD) category delivered its own thrilling contest, with Mansoor Lubega and Kenneth Kavuma emerging victorious in a Toyota Corolla. Their resilience paid off as they posted an impressive total time of 1:29:48. Closely behind were Julius Semambo and Jaffer Lukenge in a Toyota Sprinter, finishing just a minute shy of the leaders, while Odeon Tumwebaze and Hussein Mukuye completed the podium in a Toyota Altezza during their NRC debut after stepping up from the CRC category.

In the CRC class, which had only three starters and two finishers, Sande Mubiru and Hassan Kateregga claimed victory in a Toyota FX. They finished ahead of Doreen Asiimwe, who, despite a challenging run, managed to secure second place and valuable championship points.

Beyond the podium finishers, several crews stood out for their impressive performances. Haruna Kataza and David Mwesigwa, driving a Subaru Impreza N8, delivered one of their best outings yet and even posted the second-fastest time on Stage 3. Their performance signals a growing threat to the top competitors if they maintain such pace.

Young talent Kevin Bebeto, co-driven by Lawrence Mwambazi in a Mitsubishi Evo 9, also showed flashes of brilliance on debut. Despite suffering a setback due to gear selector issues, the crew demonstrated promising speed that could make them serious contenders as the season progresses.

One of the most dramatic moments of the rally involved Musa Ssegaabwe and Mathias Kiyegga. The pair had an impressive start in their newly unveiled Skoda Fabia RS N5, but their rally ended in disappointment after being disqualified for receiving outside assistance. Nevertheless, their performance made a strong statement about their readiness to fight for the championship.

With the MPU Mbale Rally now behind, attention shifts to the prestigious Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally 2026 scheduled for may in Mbarara. The event doubles as the second round of the KCB NRC and Round 2 of the African Rally Championship (ARC). Anticipation is already building, with several top crews from across East Africa expected to participate, including entries from Kenya, Rwanda, and Tanzania’s Ahmed Huweil.  iWith an eight-round calendar ahead, the championship battle remains wide open, setting the stage for an exciting and highly competitive rally season.