The Ugandan flag will fly high this weekend as a contingent of 10 crews heads to Rwanda for the Mountain Gorilla Rally, the third round of the African Rally Championship. With four crews entered in the continental championship and six more competing in the Rwanda National Rally Championship Team Uganda is set to mount one of its strongest assaults on the prestigious event in recent years.
Leading the charge are reigning African Rally Champions Yasin Nasser and Ali Katumba, who will once again spearhead Uganda’s bid for continental glory aboard their Ford Fiesta Rally2. The crew will be aiming to strengthen their championship campaign against some of Africa’s finest rally competitors.
One of the biggest talking points ahead of the rally is the international debut of two-time Uganda National Rally Champion Susan Muwonge. Despite her glittering domestic career, the Mountain Gorilla Rally will mark the first time she competes outside Uganda. Muwonge will rely on her trusted Subaru Impreza N12B, with experienced co-driver Musa Nsubuga calling the notes. The pair will undoubtedly be one of the most closely watched crews, and many fans will be eager to see if Uganda’s rally queen can upset the established order and leave a few of the boys eating dust.
Also flying Uganda’s colours in the ARC category are Oscar Ntambi and Pius Luggya in a Mitsubishi Evo X, while Godfrey Nsereko and JB Musisi complete the ARC lineup in their Toyota Etios.
In the RNRC category, Uganda boasts an equally competitive lineup. Fred Busulwa and Joseph Bongole, no strangers to Rwanda’s demanding roads after several previous appearances, return in their Subaru Impreza N14 hoping to capitalize on their local knowledge. Nasser Mutebi teams up with Emanuel Mugulusi, who will debut a freshly rebuilt Mitsubishi Evo9 in what promises to be an exciting test for the revitalized machine.
Youngsters Odeon Tumwebaze and Hussein Mukuye will also be making their first appearance beyond Uganda’s borders after earning promotion to the National Rally Championship this season. Having graduated from the Clubman Rally Championship , where regulations restrict international participation, the duo now gets the opportunity to test themselves against regional competition in their Toyota Altezza.
Uganda’s NRC challenge is completed by Faisal Kayira/Duncan Katumba (Subaru GC8), Ibrahim Lubega/Mustapha Kanakulya (Toyota FX), and Gilberto Balondemu/Hassan Kateregga (Toyota FX).
Away from the Ugandan entries, the country’s presence will also be felt through co-driver Enoch Olinga, who will be on international duty alongside Burundi’s Roshanali Mohammed “Momo” in a Subaru Impreza GVB.
The 2026 Mountain Gorilla Rally will cover a total distance of 397.52 kilometres, comprising 252 kilometres of competitive stages and 145.52 kilometres of liaison sections. The action gets underway on Friday with the shakedown and qualifying stage around the iconic Kigali Convention Centre in the heart of Rwanda’s capital.
Saturday presents the biggest challenge, featuring 157.80 kilometres of competitive action spread across 12 special stages. The demanding 24.50-kilometre Gasenyi stage, repeated three times, is expected to play a decisive role in the battle for victory. Sunday’s finale will feature five stages, highlighted by the 24.20-kilometre Kamabuye stage, while the 8.40-kilometre Gako stage will serve as the rally-ending Power Stage where valuable championship points will be on offer.
Competition is expected to be fierce across both championships. The ARC category has attracted 18 crews, with Kenya fielding the largest contingent of seven crews led by Karan Patel. Hosts Rwanda have entered three ARC crews, while Tanzania fields two and Burundi one.
The RNRC field is equally competitive, with Uganda entering six crews, Rwanda seven, Burundi three, and Kenya one, setting the stage for one of the most fiercely contested editions of the Mountain Gorilla Rally in recent memory.
With a blend of seasoned champions, experienced campaigners, exciting newcomers and a historic international debut for Susan Muwonge, Team Uganda heads to Rwanda carrying high expectations. As engines roar to life in Kigali, all eyes will be on the Pearl of Africa’s finest as they chase silverware, championship points, and national pride on one of East Africa’s toughest rally routes.
