The Bugerere EMC Rally 2025 is upon us! Scheduled for 10th–12th July, this isn’t just round 4 of the Uganda National Rally Championship (NRC) it’s the halftime show of Uganda’s most unpredictable action movie.
In one corner, you have cars barely holding themselves together. In the other, drivers who think slowing down is a sin. And in the middle? Fans with whistles, vuvuzelas, on standby. The energy? Unmatched. The dust? Unlimited.
Day 1 kicks off in Jinja, where the roads are fast, the fans are louder than a launch control. Then we head to Bugerere on Day 2, where things traditionally go from “manageable” to “mayhem.” Narrow sugarcane trails, sudden spectators, and the occasional boda-boda shortcut anything can happen.
This rally might be sponsored by Stabex, but the fuel that will be burning most is adrenaline and ego.
Leading the NRC is the always-composed Ronald Sebuguzi with 142 points. But let’s be honest, at this point in the season, even a puncture can cause heartbreak. Sebuguzi knows he can’t relax not even for a sip of water. Behind him is the tenacious Musa Ssegaabwe with 132.5 points, who is not just breathing down Sebuguzi’s neck… he’s practically riding in his boot.
If this rally were a telenovela, Ssegaabwe would be the dramatic cousin returning from abroad with a vengeance. Expect no mercy and full throttle.
Then there’s Ponsiano “Wakayaye” Lwakataka sitting in third with 117 points. He started the season like a man possessed, winning Mbarara and Masaka like he owned the terrain. But just when fans started engraving his name on the championship trophy, the Pearl Rally struck back. One DNF later, he’s now in chase mode and we all know Lwakataka doesn’t chase gently. If there’s a shortcut through the bush or a way to jump over a swamp, trust him to find it.
Duncan “Kikankane” Mubiru is back from sabbatical, and boy did he return with fireworks. Out of two events, he’s already grabbed a win and now sits in 4th with 115 points. If Jinja is his backyard, expect him to drive like he left meat on the fire at home fast, focused, and maybe a little smoky.
Now this is the real drama. Mansoor Lubega is clinging to the top of the 2WD championship with 52.5 points, but Edward Kirumira is hanging on his bumper with 52 points. We’re not even sure who’s leading at this point ask us again after the super special stage.
In third is Hajj Amir Kavuma with 51 points, who’s just one small error away from flipping the leaderboard like a Rolex at Owino market. And lurking quietly but dangerously is Julius Semambo, who sits in fourth with 41 points and a plan that may or may not involve divine intervention and octane booster.
Walter Kibande is currently king of the CRC castle with 55 points, but it’s not a very safe throne. Robert Sentongo with 40 points and Ahmed Kateete with 38 are closing in fast like traffic jam boda-bodas that find gaps where no gaps exist.
But the wildcard here? Kevin Bebeeto. His season started like a horror movie ghosted by finishes and haunted by misfortune. But now he’s teamed up with the ever-calm Siraj Kyambadde, and they’re ready to slide their way back into relevance.
Who Invited These Guys?
Every good rally has some uninvited chaos, and this round is no different. Umar Dauda is back with a Mitsubishi Evo X, and rumor has it, he’s bringing both speed and sarcasm. Meanwhile, Hassan Ali Jr. just picked up a Ford Fiesta Proto, and he’s already told the top crews to “shift aside.” Whether that’s confidence or confusion, we’ll find out soon enough.
This is where championships are shaped, hearts are broken, and bumpers are donated to local scrap dealers. With margins this tight and tempers this hot, anything can happen and probably will.
