Ugandan drivers for Rwanda rally

Uganda has entered a record 13 rally crews in the Rwanda Mount Gorilla rally due September 22-24,2023 in Rwanda.

Three of them, Yasin Nasser, Jas Mangat, and Innocent Bwamiki will be scoring points in the Africa Rally Championship log.

A win for Nasser or Mangat will raise Uganda's chances of winning the second ARC title with the first one being in 1999 by Charles Muhangi (RIP).

The others will be taking part to raise their profiles and build on their rallying experience.

Uganda rally fans with a Burundian soldier

Nasser leads the log with 78 points,15 ahead of Mangat in second position with 63 points. Kenya’s Karan Patel is third with 60 points after winning two of the four events.

According to Reynold Kibira, the deputy vice president in charge of rallying in the Federation of Motorsport Clubs of Uganda, the huge entry of Ugandans in the Rwanda rally is a sign that Uganda still carries the flag for Africa rallying. 

“Rwanda has always been a destination for many Ugandan rally drivers because of the facilitation they receive from Rwanda to boost their events,” Kibira said. 

“However, it is a sign of brotherhood and rebuilding the East African block, but because of lack of resources as FMU we can not facilitate them to come to Uganda but still those countries have a few crews competing at the continental level,” he added. 

The event which is the fifth round of the Africa Rally Championship has attracted 13 Uganda crews including Gilberto Balondemu, Muhamad Bwete, Muzamir Mwami, Isaac Ssozi, Umar Dauda, Nasser Mutebi Fred Busulwa and Peter Kalule.

One of the buses that will take the fans to Rwanda

Rwanda has four crews, Burundi 3, Kenya two, and Tanzania one.

Uganda fans for Rwanda

Meanwhile, Ugandan fans supported by Friends Bus and Worldwide Movers will be traveling in big numbers to support the Uganda crews.

Emma Emaru, the coordinator of the Rally Hunters fans told Vision Sport that Sulait Natukunda the proprietor of Friends Bus has offered buses to fans who wish to travel to Rwanda.

September 22-24

Rwanda Mountain Gorilla Rally

ARC1 standings

1. Yasin Nasser (UGA)78 points

2. Jas Mangat (UGA)63

3. Karan Patel (KEN) 60

4. Innocent Bwamiki (UGA)38

5. Rio Smith (KEN) 24

6. Asad Anwar (KEN) 19

ARC2 standings

1. Jas Mangat (UGA)63

2. Innocent Bwamiki (UGA)38

3. Rio Smith (KEN) 24