Bugerere — Uganda’s veteran rally ace Ponsiano Lwakataka, alongside co-driver Paul Musazi, stormed to victory at the Bugerere Stabex EMC Rally 2025, sealing his place at the top of the leaderboard with a total time of 1 hour, 25 minutes, and 16.5 seconds in his Subaru Impreza N12B.
Lwakataka’s flawless performance reaffirmed his dominance on Uganda’s rallying scene, finishing nearly 4 minutes and 7 seconds ahead of his closest rival.
Hasan Alwi, navigated by Musa Nsbuguga in a Ford Fiesta Proto, secured second place with a time of 1:29:23.6, while Ronald Ssebuguzi, piloting another Ford Fiesta Proto with co-driver Anthony Mugambwa, rounded off the podium in third place, clocking 1:31:26.2.
Tight Battles and Strong Performances
The competition brought together Uganda’s top rally drivers in a thrilling display of speed, skill, and endurance across the challenging Bugerere terrain. Joshua Muwanguzi and Mariam Namakasa, also in a Subaru Impreza N12, put up a spirited fight to finish fourth overall.
Peter Kalule and David Mwesigwa came in fifth, maintaining Subaru’s strong presence in the top ranks.
Another standout performance came from Musa Ssebagabwe and Mathias Kyegga in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9, finishing sixth overall and first among the Evo-class cars.
Notable Finishers and Class Standouts
Umar Dauda and Steven Bunya drove their Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X to a respectable seventh place. Samuel Watuwemba, in a Toyota Corolla FX, showcased consistency to land eighth place.
Ali Omar Bodo and Omar Waziru took their Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 4 to ninth place, highlighting the durability of older rally machines. Julius Ssemambo completed the top 10 in his Toyota Corolla FX.
The rally also saw consistent performances from up-and-coming drivers like Isa Ibrahim Lubega, Faizal Kayira, and Nasor Mutebi, who all finished within the top 15.
Challenges and Retirements
Though most competitors completed the rally, a few high-profile entries struggled with mechanical setbacks and time penalties. Nevertheless, the event was praised for its organisation, safety, and the competitive spirit shown by all participants.
Organisers Commend Safety, Spectatorship
Event organisers, led by Chairman Joshua Mayanja and stewards Rey Kibirige and Lamech Mulwanyi, hailed the rally as a success, noting strong compliance with safety protocols and an enthusiastic turnout from motorsport fans across the region.
Equity Bank Uganda, a prominent sponsor of the event, celebrated the impressive performance of the Drugs Express Rally Team, whose Mitsubishi Evo 9 was a formidable presence on the track. The rally, held across the Nile Resort Circuit in Jinja and the challenging stages of Kayunga, showcased the bank’s dedication to supporting local sporting talent.
With the EMC Rally concluded, attention now turns to the next rounds in Uganda’s motorsport calendar as drivers begin to sharpen their focus on the National Rally Championship standings.
Full Results Summary (Top 5):
| Position | Driver | Co-driver | Car | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ponsiano Lwakataka | Paul Musazi | Subaru Impreza N12B | 1:25:16.5 |
| 2 | Hasan Alwi | Musa Nsbuguga | Ford Fiesta Proto | 1:29:23.6 |
| 3 | Ronald Ssebuguzi | Anthony Mugambwa | Ford Fiesta Proto | 1:31:26.2 |
| 4 | Joshua Muwanguzi | Mariam Namakasa | Subaru Impreza N12 | 1:33:43.1 |
| 5 | Peter Kalule | David Mwesigwa | Subaru Impreza N12 | 1:37:20.4 |