By Mwambazi Lawrence-

37 Crews Line Up for Crucial KCB NRC Round Three

The 2026 KCB National Rally Championship heads into a another chapter this month as 37 crews have officially confirmed participation for Round Three of the championship, set for June 19th-20th across the districts of Masaka and Sembabule.

With two rounds already completed, the championship battle is beginning to gather momentum, and the upcoming event could provide the first real indication of who possesses the pace, consistency, and reliability needed to challenge for the national title. By the time the dust settles in Greater Masaka, the championship standings are expected to have taken a much clearer shape, with leading contenders looking to establish themselves ahead of the second half of the season.

The rally will begin with scrutineering on Thursday, June 18th, where cars and crews will undergo mandatory technical inspections before being cleared for competition. The action then shifts into high gear on Friday as competitors tackle a stage along the Nabugabo Road, which will be run twice before concluding the day with a crowd-pleasing Super Special Stage at Nabugabo Sand Beach.

Saturday’s action moves to the fast and demanding roads of Sembabule, where crews will face four competitive stages. The headline act will be the daunting 33.31-kilometre Kyabi Stage, the longest test of the rally and one that could prove decisive in determining the overall winner. The shortest section will be the 12.14-kilometre Chairman Toyota Stage, which will also serve as the Power Stage, offering valuable bonus points that could influence the championship battle.

In total, competitors will cover 303.86 kilometres, of which 126.71 kilometres will be competitive stages while 177.17 kilometres will be liaison sections. The Masaka and Sembabule roads have become renowned for their high-speed nature, flowing corners, and technical demands, requiring crews to strike a delicate balance between outright pace and mechanical preservation.

Championship leaders Hassan Alwi Jr and Musa Nsubuga arrive as the men to beat after a dominant start to the season. Having accumulated 118 points from the opening two rounds, the pair will be aiming to further extend their lead and tighten their grip on the championship.

However, several crews stand ready to challenge them. Umar Dauda and Steven Bunya remain firmly in the title hunt and will be looking for a strong result to reduce the gap at the top. Ronald Sebuguzi and Anthony Mugambwa also know that victory in Masaka could reignite their championship ambitions and place them firmly back in the title conversation.

The home crowd will be keeping a close eye on Hon. Aine Sodo and veteran driver Asuman Mohamed, who will enjoy the advantage of competing on familiar Sembabule roads. Their local knowledge could prove invaluable on stages where every second counts.

One of the most anticipated stories of the rally will be the return of Ali Omar and Wazir, the young crew whose pace and determination have made them fan favourites. After spending some time away from competition, many will be eager to see how quickly they rediscover their rhythm.

Elsewhere, Musa Ssegaabwe and Mathias Kiyega are expected to showcase the capabilities of their Skoda N5, while Duncan Mubiru “Kikankane” and Hamza Lwanga will once again unleash their powerful Ford Fiesta Proto. Moses Lumala and Cedric Buzabo are also among the crews capable of upsetting the established order and challenging for podium positions.

After two rounds, the championship standings are led by:

1. Hassan Alwi Jr – 118 points
   2. Umar Dauda – 82.5 points
   3. Duncan Mubiru – 79 points
   4. Randeep Singh – 77 points
   5. Yasin Nasser – 73 points

With valuable points on offer and the championship battle beginning to intensify, crews know there is little room for error. The fast roads of Masaka and Sembabule have a reputation for rewarding bravery while punishing mistakes, and history has shown that fortunes can change in an instant. The fight for the championship is far from over, but by Saturday evening, the list of genuine title contenders may be considerably shorter.