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The 2025 National Rally Championship (NRC) season kicked off in thrilling fashion as Ponsiano Lwakataka clinched victory at the Lumala @60 |Mama@90 –birthday rally in Mbarara, western Uganda.
Celebrating the legendary driver Moses Lumala’s remarkable contributions to the sport, the event provided an exciting start to the new season, and Lwakataka’s win highlighted his enduring competitive spirit.
Day One: A Roller Coaster Start
The rally commenced on Friday with a single stage and a super special stage, setting the tone for an intense weekend of racing.
Lwakataka, along with his co-driver Paul Musaazi in the Subaru Impreza, finished day one in second place. Leading the pack after the first day was Yasin Nasser, who returned to the NRC after a break since 2023.
Yassin Nasser.
Nasser took an early lead, sweeping the first stage with a blistering time of 7 minutes and 27 seconds, putting the Moil rally team firmly in control.
However, the excitement took an unexpected turn during the super special stage, where Nasser and fellow competitor Ronald Ssebuguzi battled it out for supremacy in front of eager fans.
Despite the fierce competition, Nasser remained in the lead by the end of the day, with Lwakataka in second and Ssebuguzi in third. “The feeling is good for us. We’ve missed racing here, and we’re excited to be back,” said Nasser after his performance, showing optimism for the next day’s stages.
L-R: Yassin Nasser (In Moil Branded Car), Ronald Ssebuguzi (Shell branded in Red.) |Photo – John Batanudde
Day Two: Lwakataka Takes Control
Saturday’s action began with five more stages, and the rally quickly saw significant changes on the leaderboard. Nasser continued his impressive pace, dominating the first stage of the day.
However, disaster struck in the second stage when Nasser’s car suffered power steering issues, causing him to lose over a minute.
As a result, he dropped from first to sixth position, a devastating blow for the Moil rally team. “It’s hard to drive that car with the steering issue,” Nasser admitted after the stage, I almost gave up. But luckily, I made it to the service, and we’ll see what we can do from here.”
This misfortune opened the door for Lwakataka to seize the lead. The seasoned driver capitalized on the opportunity, moving ahead with a 48-second advantage over second-place Ssebuguzi.
Lwakataka’s triumph was not without its challenges, though. Reflecting on the event, he said, “The event was not so smooth. It started with some issues yesterday, but God was on my side to reach this victory. I managed to sort the issues, and everything was smooth thereafter. This victory proves that I am still a competitor in this sport.”
Lwakataka’s performance throughout the rally was a testament to his skill and resilience, ensuring that he ended the day at the top of the standings.
A Strong Finish: The Podium Results
As the rally neared its conclusion, Lwakataka maintained his grip on the lead, finishing the event in first place.
Ronald Ssebuguzi, who had also faced some challenges during the rally, secured second place with his co-driver Anthony Mugambwa in the Ford Fiesta Proto.
Nasser Mutebi and Steven Bunya in the Mitsubishi Evo 9 completed the podium in third.
Despite their earlier setbacks, Nasser and his co-driver Ali Katumba managed to recover in the power stage, earning maximum points from that segment and finishing in fourth overall.
It was a solid result for the Moil rally team, given the challenges they faced.
Other Notable Performances
In the Clubman Rally Championship, Walter Kibande took the victory, with Sentongo Kiggundu Nkima and Topher Katera finishing in second and third, respectively.
In the two-wheel category, Edward Kirumira emerged victorious, followed by Amir Kavuma and Julius Ssemambo.
However, the event was not without casualties. Several crews faced unfortunate exits, including Peter Kalule, who rolled out during the power stage.
Moustapha Mukasa, Duncan Mubiru, and Abdul Katete also encountered various issues, further highlighting the unpredictable nature of rally racing.
Looking Ahead
With the first round of the 2025 NRC season now complete, all eyes are on the next challenge in April, when the rallying community will gather in Masaka for the second round of the series.
Lwakataka’s win has set the stage for an exciting season ahead, and his victory proves that he is still a formidable force in Ugandan motorsport.
As the Lumala @60 Mama @90 birthday rally drew to a close, Moses Lumala, alongside Mbarara Member of Parliament Mwesigwa Rukari, flagged off the event in what was a true celebration of rallying in Uganda.
The event’s success, both in terms of competition and celebration, signals a promising start to the 2025 NRC season.
For Lwakataka, this victory is more than just a win—it’s a statement that he is still very much a contender, and the season ahead is sure to be filled with thrilling battles and unforgettable moments.
