Ponsiano Lwakataka and Paul Musaazi Triumph in 2025 National Rally Championship Opener
Ponsiano Lwakataka, with co-driver Paul Musaazi, delivered an electrifying performance to clinch victory in the first round of the 2025 National Rally Championship, dubbed Lumala@60, Mum@90 Birthday Rally. The event, held in the Western Ugandan town of Mbarara, saw Lwakataka clock an impressive time of 1:12:59.4, asserting his dominance and reminding fellow competitors of his pedigree on the rally stage.
Lwakataka, a seasoned rally veteran, was in jubilant spirits after his win, reflecting on the significance of the victory. “I’m happy for this win, especially considering I’ve beaten some powerful cars,” he said. “Rally isn’t just about having a fast machine; it’s about being a fighting driver. Like in football, successful clubs don’t just buy balls, they recruit the best players. I am that Ronaldo or Mo Salah, ready to lift the team. Rally is about the fight, and today, I fought harder.”

He further emphasized his readiness for the season, saying, “This year, I’m ready to fight for the championship. Competitors should be warned: Mafu Mafu is back and ready to take it all.” he went on “this victory was a crucial boost for his 2025 championship aspirations. “The event wasn’t entirely smooth,” he admitted. “We had some issues on Friday, but God was on my side, and I managed to sort them out. From that point, everything went smoothly, and this victory proves that I’m still a contender in this sport.”
Rally enthusiasts have noted that Mbarara has historically been a good indicator of future championship success, with many winners of the rally going on to claim the season’s title. Lwakataka’s win has certainly made a statement, and he is now positioned as one of the top contenders for the 2025 title.
In a highly competitive field, Ronald Sebuguzi secured second place with a total time of 1:15:34.9, while the 2010 champion, Nasser Mutebi, claimed third with a time of 1:16:26.0. Both Sebuguzi and Mutebi showed great consistency throughout the event, but they were ultimately unable to challenge Lwakataka for the top spot.
The rally began on Friday with a single stage and a super special stage. Lwakataka finished the first day in second place, but his relentless pursuit of the lead saw him take the top spot by the third stage on Saturday, after event leader Yasin Nasser suffered power steering issues that dropped him down to sixth place.
Despite his setbacks, Nasser, alongside co-driver Ali Katumba, managed to recover somewhat and finished in fourth place overall, securing maximum points from the power stage.
The 2WD category saw Kirumira Edward, co-driven by Monica Birwinyo, took top honors in their Toyota Corona, with a solid time of 1:31:38.1. Haji Amiri Kavuma finished second with a time of 1:34:07.6, while Julius ‘Mukalo’ Ssemambo rounded out the top three with a time of 1:35:54.9. Edward’s victory highlighted his pace and control in the 2WD class, securing a strong start to his 2025 campaign.
In the Clubman Rally Championship, Kibande Walter clinched the victory, with Sentongo Kiggundu and Topher Katera finishing second and third, respectively. This was a strong start to the season for Kibande, who will look to build on his success in future rounds.
While many crews secured valuable points for their season campaigns, others faced misfortune. Peter Kalule was the final casualty of the event, rolling out during the power stage and ending his rally on a disappointing note. Earlier in the event, other crews such as Moustapha Mukasa, Duncan Mubiru, and Abdul Katete were also affected by mechanical issues and misfortune, leaving them with little to show for their efforts.
As the first round of the 2025 National Rally Championship concludes, it’s clear that the competition will be fierce in the coming months. With Lwakataka’s victory setting a strong tone for the season, Sebuguzi, Mutebi, and other competitors will need to step up their game if they hope to challenge for the title. For now, Lwakataka’s win in Mbarara has firmly placed him at the top of the standings, but the battle is far from over.
Jackson Jay
AGS