Written By | Byamukama
Yasin Nasser powers his Ford Fiesta Nemo in the last rally
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MOTOR SPORT
For the first time in the history of motorsport in Uganda, there will be no Mbarara Rally on the local motorsport calendar for the year 2026. This comes after the local motorsport governing body, FMU, released a draft schedule of national events for the year, with Mbale set to host the first event. It has always been FMU’s tradition that the first National Rally Championship (NRC) event is hosted in Mbarara and is commonly known as the Mbarara Rally, dating back to 1997 in the history of motorsport in Uganda.
Aine Sodo in action in the last rally
All Mbarara Rally events have traditionally been organised by the Mbarara Motor Club (MMC). However, the last three events have been organised by Motorsport Promotions Uganda (MPU), following a misunderstanding between MMC and FMU. This could be the reason why the first event of the 2026 NRC is being shifted to Mbale, since MPU can organise its events anywhere it deems suitable.
Mike Mukula Jr flies his Subaru Impreza N14 for 5th place in Mbarara rally
Torch Media reached out to an insider at FMU, who confirmed that the first NRC event will not be held in Mbarara but in Mbale. The event, which has traditionally been held in February, has now been moved to March 26–28.
“Yes, the draft has been released, and from what I know, we are not going to Mbarara for the first event as has been the norm. Instead, we are going to Mbale. We shall only be in Mbarara in May,” is all he could say.
However, Mbarara Rally fans will have something to smile about, as the area will host the much more competitive and exciting Africa Rally Championship (ARC) Event Two, commonly known as the Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally.
Ronald Ssebuguzi in a Ford Fiesta Proto, managed 2rd position in the Mbarara rally
Last year, Mbarara and the wider Ankole region hosted the first-ever Pearl of Africa Rally. Based on safety and organisational scores, both drivers and officials ranked Mbarara highly, which is why the event is returning this year. Uganda’s Yasin Nasser is the reigning ARC champion after collecting enough points in the final 2025 event in Morogoro, Tanzania, to become only the second Ugandan—after the late Charles Muhangi—to win the accolade after a 26-year wait.
2025 Mbarara rally winner Lwakataka flies his Subaru Impreza N12B along the Biharwe-Sanga section of the Mbarara rally. He is expected to return for the ARC event
Navigated by Ali Katumba, the crew in a Ford Fiesta R2, alongside reigning NRC champion Ronald Ssebuguzi, will still be the team to beat in the coming season, whose start has been delayed due to elections in Uganda.
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