The 2025 National Rally Championship season has officially come to an end, concluding with a decisive and well-earned triumph for Ronald Sebuguzi and co-driver Anthony Mugambwa, who are now the 2025 NRC Champions. Their title victory marks a significant milestone in Ugandan motorsport, adding another chapter to Sebuguzi’s illustrious career.
Going into the recently concluded UMOSPOC Kabalega Rally, Sebuguzi needed only eight points to secure the championship. His mission was clear finish the rally and bring the car home safely. With closest rival Ponsiano Lwakataka forced out of the event, the title battle narrowed to Sebuguzi and rising challenger Musa Ssegaabwe. Maintaining composure and control, Sebuguzi finished 4th overall, earning more than enough points to seal the crown.
This victory elevates him into elite company, joining Jas Mangat, Charlie Lubega, and Sam Sali as four-time winners of the Uganda National Rally Championship. It has taken Sebuguzi 11 years since his last title, and with a career spanning 25 years.
Co-driver Anthony Mugambwa also celebrated a major achievement, securing his second consecutive NRC co-driver title. The crew demonstrated exceptional consistency throughout the season, completing all seven NRC rounds without a single retirement an impressive display of discipline, preparation, and teamwork.
In the 2WD category, the crew of Mansoor Lubega and Ronald “Kesh” Bukenya emerged as champions after a season of strong performance and reliability. Since acquiring their Toyota Corolla, the pair have shown remarkable pace and consistency, establishing themselves as the benchmark in the class.
The CRC championship was dominated by Walter Kibande and Duncan Katumba, who overcame several challenges to secure the title. Despite setbacks in events like the EMC Kayunga Rally and the title decider in Hoima, they managed to recover and deliver when it mattered most, maximizing the potential of their Subaru GC8.
A standout performance came from Musa Ssegaabwe and Mathias Kiyegga, who finished 2nd overall in the NRC in their debut season. Despite early scares including a near-roll in Mbarara the crew completed all seven NRC events. Their strong performance has given them momentum heading into next season, and with a new Skoda Fabia N5 already undergoing testing in Spain, they are expected to be major contenders in 2026.
In the 2WD runners-up position, Julius Semambo and Jaffer Lukenge maintained competitive form throughout the year, exchanging victories with Mansoor before late-season challenges pushed them into second place.
Looking ahead, the 2026 season appears poised for intense competition. Multiple crews are upgrading machinery, with new cars entering the championship. Among the notable updates: Ssegaabwe’s incoming Skoda Fabia N5, Joshua Muwanguzi’s Subaru GVB, Didas Matsiko’s pending GVB, Samuel Watendwa’s move to a Toyota Runx, and Oscar Ntambi’s upgrade to a Mitsubishi Evo X. Additionally, promising drivers from the CRC such as Bebeto, Kibande, and Ahmed Kateete are preparing to graduate into the NRC, setting the stage for a highly competitive field.
But before the motorsport community shifts its full attention to 2026, one final event remains the Champions Sprint on 26th december. This event will close the season as drivers seek to end the year on a high note and establish early psychological advantages ahead of next year’s championship.
The 2025 NRC season has been marked by consistency, growth, and competitive spirit across all classes. With new cars and new challengers on the horizon, Ugandan rally fans can expect an even more thrilling season in 2026.
