STORY BY: Jackson Kwitonda and Allan Musinguzi
Could Ponsiano Lwakataka be genuinely considering stepping away from the thrilling world of Motorsport and finally hanging up his helmet?
There are a multitude of factors that might be influencing his decision to retire from this high-speed, adrenaline-fueled sport.
The thought of retiring from active Motorsport after potentially clinching his third title is on the mind of the seasoned racer, who began his illustrious career back in 2000.
Jackson Kwitonda and Allan Musinguzi detail how Ponsiano Lwakataka, a two-time National Rally Champion, is contemplating retirement after 25 years on the racing circuit.
The veteran driver experienced a brief hiatus in 2008 when, after earning the 2007 National Rally Championship title, he handed over the racing reins to his wife, Rose Lwakataka, known as the “Flying Chick”.
Alongside co-driver George Ssemakula, she came tantalizingly close to securing both the National and Clubman Rally championship titles in 2008, but ultimately, Dr. Ahmed Mohammed Ashraf took the victory.
Lwakataka is revered as one of Uganda’s top drivers, holding a formidable record of rally wins.
In 2011, he shattered his streak of non-finishes in the prestigious Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally, the very event that marked his entry into the sport in 2000.
Starting out with humble machinery, such as the Toyota Levin, during the 2000 Total Pearl of Africa Rally, Lwakataka’s skillful driving earned him a commendable seventh place finish overall.
He soon graduated to a Subaru Legacy, and then to the celebrated ‘Yellow Bird’ Subaru Impreza G8, which solidified his reputation as Uganda’s Subaru maestro.
Despite several impressive podium finishes in the early 2000s, personal and professional challenges marked his journey.
He won his first title in 2005 but faced a setback in 2006, losing to Ronald Ssebuguzi after an unfortunate crash in Jomayi Estates Nalumunye during a promising season.
Undeterred, Lwakataka returned triumphantly in 2007, claiming another championship before making an initial announcement of his retirement.
Nonetheless, Lwakataka couldn’t stay away for long. In 2010, he staged a comeback, fueled by fan support, piloting a new Subaru Impreza N8 alongside navigator Musa Nsubuga.
The acquisition of a top-tier Ex-Jas Mangat factory-prepared pro drive Subaru Impreza N12B showcased his fierce competitiveness, pushing rivals back to their drawing boards as he demonstrated a relentless mastery of speed and strategy.
Despite dealing with accusations of unfair play from some competitors, which tarnished his reputation, he fiercely defends his skill at the wheel, attributing his success to sheer ability and dedication to the sport.
Reflecting on these challenges, Lwakataka expressed his frustration over being unfairly branded, while highlighting a lack of support from the Federation, particularly when it came to securing funding and equipment parity among drivers.
The central question remains: will Lwakataka follow through with his recent pronouncements about quitting Motorsport?
Even after a season where he has won four of five rallies and collected numerous accolades, including the Fortebet Real Stars Sports Awards in recognition of his contributions to Motor Rallying, only time will reveal if Lwakataka is ready to close this exciting chapter of his life.
