While Uganda briefly went silent in the digital space during the recent internet blackout, the rest of the world and the rallying community never slowed down.
As the countdown to the 2026 rallying season continues, preparations have quietly but steadily gathered momentum, with teams already deep into pre-season activity.
Garages are buzzing, old machines are being retired, and the shopping spree for faster, more competitive cars is well underway.
One arrival, in particular, has sent a strong message across the 2WD class paddock. Dr Godfrey Nsereko has officially ushered in a new era for his rally career with the arrival of a Toyota Etios R2, which landed in the country this week.
This is no ordinary upgrade. The Etios R2 is widely regarded as one of the most competitive 2WD rally cars of its generation, and its presence alone suggests that 2026 will not be business as usual.
To put things into perspective, this specific Toyota Etios R2 is a former Guy Botterill machine from South Africa a proven performer that clinched the South African National Championship title four times consecutively.
Built to FIA R2 specifications, the car is fully homologated and eligible to compete not only locally but also on the African Rally Championship (ARC) stage, a platform where Dr Nsereko is now expected to feature prominently.
Technically, the car is a serious piece of rally engineering. It is equipped with a 5-speed sequential gearbox, a finely mapped MoTeC ECU, and brand-new Reiger shock absorbers.
Unlike many locally run machines, the Etios R2 runs on Avgas rather than ordinary pump fuel, underlining its purpose-built nature.
To further strengthen its campaign, the car comes with a substantial spare package, ensuring reliability and sustainability across multiple events.
Dr Nsereko’s journey to this point has been anything but ordinary. He began his motorsport career in 2017 as a co-driver before making the bold switch to the driver’s seat in 2018, a move that immediately paid off with a CRC championship title in his debut year as a driver.
His career progression has seen him pilot a zebra-striped Toyota Runx, later modifying a Subaru GC8 into a 2WD machine which he campaigned up to 2023.
He then returned to the Toyota Runx that started it all, driving it consistently until this season’s decisive leap to the far more sophisticated Etios R2 from South Africa.
This upgrade is not just personal ambition; it reshapes the competitive landscape of the 2WD class.
With a machine of this calibre now in the mix, rivals will be forced to raise their game, and fans can expect closer, faster, and more aggressive battles throughout the season. Dr Nsereko is widely tipped to be on the frontline of that fight.
Attention now turns to the opening round of the National Rally Championship, scheduled for March in Mbale, shortly after Ramadan.
The first event of the season traditionally sets the tone dictating pace, strategy, and momentum for the year ahead.
With crews having gone a long stretch without competitive rally action, the hunger to push hard will be unmistakable.
If the arrival of the Toyota Etios R2 is anything to go by, the 2026 season is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in recent years and the 2WD class may well be the headline act.
