Five Uganda crews set for World Rally Championship

Five Ugandan crews will compete in the World Rally Championship Kenya Safari rally that starts June 24 to 27.

Ronald Ssebuguzi, Hassan Alwi, Kephar Walubi, Duncan Mubiru, and 2019 NRC champion Yasin Nasser have confirmed their participation.

It is the first time Ugandans are getting the opportunity to compete on the world stage and Yasin Nasser, the 2019 national rally champion said his target is to finish the event.

“We are aware of the stiff opposition we shall face. So we shall be calculative and be able to finish this rally in a good position,” the MOIL rally team driver said.

Duncan Mubiru powers his Subaru GVB during the SMC rally in Sembabule

“We have tested the Kenya terrain all the times we have participated in the Kenya Safari Rally. Our major challenge remains the superior cars and experienced crews but we are ready to fly the Uganda flag."

A record of 58 entries of which five are Ugandans and 34 are Kenyans have been confirmed by the International Motorsport Federation (FIA) to showcase in the sixth round of the global championship.

The world rally championship has fourteen events of which four have already been done and competitors will first battle it out in the rally of Italy on June 6, before heading to Kenya, an event that is very unique because of its tourism nature.

The imagination of negotiating an air-pin right, 500 power readings by the co-driver then before firing, the zebra or lions are visible ahead crossing the road makes the safari rally the most unique.

Joseph Kamya, Jas Mangat's navigator urged Ugandans to be calculative and fly the Uganda flag high.

“We shall not be able to compete because my driver is not available, but the WRC is all about experience and calculations. It is a marathon that you cannot start with a sprint,” Kamya tipped Ugandan crews.

The Deputy Clerk of-Course, Nazir Yakub said despite having weather challenges they are in a position to organise a better event.