And so, like a forgotten verse from a favorite song, he returns.
The man, the myth, the master of control in chaos re-emerges after six years away from the sport. Fort Portal, steady yourself, for thunder is set to rise not from the sky, but from the gravel beneath the wheels of a Mitsubishi Evo X. Adam Rauf Essa is back. This is not a rumour. This is not speculation. It is fact confirmed and undeniable. The original Nsolo Nkambwe is returning to the cockpit, and his destination is none other than the UMC Rally in Fort Portal, scheduled for July 22nd to 24th, 2025.
Rauf Essa last competed in 2019, in Fort Portal, with Aaron Nsamba on the notes. Six years have passed. The sport has moved, drivers have come and gone and yet, the void left by Rauf’s departure never truly closed. Now, his iconic Ralliart Mitsubishi Evo X is back in the workshop, receiving the final touches before its return not as a memory, but as a machine of purpose.
The National Rally Championship (NRC) season has already reached a critical point. Four rounds down. Fort Portal marks Round 5. The competition is intense, the standings are tight, and every kilometer counts. In such a climate, the return of a seasoned competitor like Rauf Essa could be the defining moment of the year.
Essa is no ordinary driver. His style and fearless approach left a lasting impression in Uganda’s motorsport history. The Evo X, synonymous with his name, is being readied for another assault on the demanding roads of Kyenjojo and Fort Portal routes known for their complexity, speed, and unforgiving nature.
This is not a just return. It is a statement of intent. The Fort Portal rally, with its technical terrain and championship implications, offers the perfect stage for a driver of Rauf’s calibre. It’s where battles are fought and reputations are forged and he is coming prepared.
As the days count down and the Tooro hills await the sound of machines roaring through the tea plantations, the sport prepares for the return of one of its most memorable competitors. Adam Rauf Essa does not return to chase shadows. He returns to remind us what once was and what still can be.
The Evo X will roll once more. Not as a symbol of the past, but as a force for the present. And as the dust begins to rise over Fort Portal, so too does the anticipation. A story long paused is about to continue.
