BY FRANK KAHEESI & HENRY MBAZIIRA-KAYUNGA.
Two-time National Rally Champion Ponsiano Lwakataka has conveyed his confidence that the 2025 National Rally Championship title remains undecided, expressing his strong position and optimism about securing the victory.
Lwakataka, alongside his co-driver Paul Musaazi, who form the famed ‘Manyi Ga bantu’ team, triumphed at the Bugerere Stabex EMC Rally over the weekend. They achieved the fastest time, clocking one hour, 27 minutes, and 17.67 seconds.
The Caltex-sponsored crew demonstrated remarkable consistency, securing two stage wins out of ten and maintaining their lead from the event’s commencement on Friday to its conclusion on Saturday.
Despite formidable competition from cockpit veterans Hassan Alwi and Musa Nsubuga, who participated in a newly acquired Ford Proto and claimed the majority of stage wins with four, they could not outpace the determined Manyi Ga Bantu team and thus settled for second place.
“I am back, highly charged for another NRC title. I can assure you the 2025 National Championship title is not yet decided until the last event in November,” Lwakataka confidently stated.
As a seasoned champion from 2005 and 2007, Lwakataka continues to await the resolution of his appeal concerning the 2023 National Rally title’s award to Byron Lugomoka, a contention that has persisted for two years since his initial petition.
With plans of achieving dual celebratory victories, Lwakataka has already mastered three rallies out of the four held this season, clinching the opening rally in Mbarara—dubbed Lumala at 60 Mama at 90—followed by wins at the SMC Challenge Rally in Masaka and Jinja.
Meanwhile, eager to gain more experience with his new vehicle, Hassan Alwi, sponsored by the International University of East Africa, remains intent on enjoyment rather than fierce competition.
The three-time National Rally Champion, Ronald Ssebuguzi, placed third with a completion time of one hour, 33 minutes, and 25.99 seconds.
Currently, the Centenary Bank team leads the 2025 Championship standings with 187.0 points, with Lwakataka close behind at 175.0 points.
Musa Sseggabwe, who has recently ascended to the top tier this season, follows in third, trailing nineteen and a half points behind the leader.
Duncan Mubiru, having faced mechanical challenges during the Jinja Rally, ranks fourth with 140 points.
In the Clubman Rally Championship, Walter Kibande holds the lead with 55 points, while Ahmed Katete follows closely, only five points behind.
Kevin Bebeto, the contender who triumphed in the class over the weekend, stands third with 42 points.
Mansoor Lubega is the frontrunner in the two-wheel drive category, commanding 66.5 points, pursued by Julius Semambo and Edward Kirumira in second and third respectively.
The rally enthusiasts now eagerly anticipate the next round in Fort Portal, set to take place from July 22nd to 24th, 2025.
