BY MWAMBAZI LAWRENCE-

With just days to go before the opening round of the KCB National Rally Championship, anticipation is building for the MPU Mbale Rally scheduled for 27th to 28th March 2026 in Mbale. A total of 33 crews have so far confirmed their participation, setting the stage for a highly competitive start to the new rally season.

Among the notable entries is reigning national champion Ronald Sebuguzi, who will once again team up with his  co-driver Anthony Mugambwa. The duo will be aiming to assert early dominance as they begin their title defense campaign.

Also making a highly anticipated return is Moses Lumala, who has been out of competitive action for some time. Lumala is set to bounce back in his Ford Fiesta Proto, a machine he has reportedly been rigorously testing in preparation for the season opener.

The event has also attracted international attention, with two foreign crews confirmed. Rwanda’s reigning champion Queen Kalimpinya will be competing alongside co-driver Olivier Ngabo in a Subaru Impreza GVB. From Ethiopia, Stefano Valeri will partner with Uganda’s Robert Katabalwa in a Mitsubishi Evo X, adding further depth to the competitive field.

Another major highlight is the late entry of African rally champion Yassin Nasser, fresh from competing in the WRC Safari Rally. Nasser will team up with Joseph Kamya in a Ford Fiesta R5. His participation is expected to serve as crucial preparation ahead of the prestigious Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally slated for May.

The rally will traverse three districts Mbale District, Budaka District, and Bukedea District covering a total distance of 300.77 kilometers. Of this, 124.63 kilometers will be competitive stages, while 176.14 kilometers will be liaison sections.

Action will begin on Friday morning at 8:00 AM in Budaka District with two stages: the 13.50km Ali Katumba stage and the 13.16km Dusman Oke stage. Both stages will be run twice before crews head to the Maluku Super Special Stage in the afternoon, where fans will enjoy close-range, head-to-head action.

Day two will shift to Bukedea District, featuring two stages that will also be repeated, before the rally concludes with a decisive power stage where crews will battle for valuable bonus points.

The MPU Mbale Rally will offer teams an important opportunity to strategize for the season ahead. More significantly, it provides a vital testing ground for cars and crews ahead of the  Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally in May, making it a crucial event on the 2026 motorsport calendar.