Ssebuguzi starts season with Mbarara Rally win

In Summary

Motorsport. Desh Kananura disqualified for going off the course as national champion Arthur Blick Junior, Duncan ‘Kikankane’ Mubiru, Jas Mangat and Musa Kabega fail to complete two-day competition, which opened the NRC season.

Ronald Ssebuguzi underlined his intentions for the 2016 National Rally Championship (NRC) title by winning the Lato Milk Mbarara Rally yesterday. The three-time national champion led a 1-3 finish for Mitsubishi car drivers.

The Vivo Energy driver, navigated by Leon Sasenyange in an Evo X ‘Ekisodde’, clocked one hour, 36 minutes and 19 seconds (01:36:19), beating second-placed Kuku Ranjit by over seven minutes. Christakis Fitidi in an Evo X came third (01:44:51). Ponsiano Lwakataka, who has been out of the sport for nearly three years while battling court battles, came fourth but there was disappointment for Desh Kananura, who was disqualified for diverting from the course.

Ssebuguzi’s victory is the third straight stretching from last year when he clinched the Umospoc Independence Rally and the Mt. Elgon Rally. In 2006, Ssebuguzi won in Mbarara and went on to claim the NRC title. He wants to repeat that feat. “I promised last year that I would regain the title. It is too early to celebrate but I am happy to win the event with all the top drivers competing,” he said. He added: “My goal this year is to equal Charlie Lubega’s record (four NRC titles).”

Big name drivers like Arthur Blick Junior, the current national champion, Duncan ‘Kikankane’ Mubiru, Jas Mangat, Musa Kabega, Wilbert Pole Pole and Godfrey Nsamba could not last the distance. They dropped out as only 20 cars out of 38 finished after two days of gruelling action. The next NRC event will be held on Easter weekend in Kabale.

Mbarara Rally result (top 10)
1. Ronald Ssebuguzi (Evo X) 01:36:19
2. Kuku Ranjit (Evo IX) 01:44:10
3. Christakis Fitidis ( Evo X) 01:44:51
4. Ponsiano Lwakataka (Subaru N8) 01:47:35
5. Godfrrey Lubega (Subaru N12) 01:48:08
6. Hassan Alwi (Subaru N14) 01:51:32
7. Adam Rauf (Evo 10) 01:51:42
9. Wycliffe Bukenya (Evo 9) 01:59:24
10. Fred Busulwa (Subaru N10) 02:94:25

fmusisi@ug.nationmedia.com