If there was ever a Sunday that deserved to be framed and hung in the living room of Ugandan motorsport, it was this one a full dust-flavored motorsport banquet where the fans didn’t just show up, they showed out.
With a perfectly clear blue sky, the weather said, “Let there be chaos,” and Garuga replied, “Say no more!” Rally fans showed up like it was a family reunion of dust lovers armed to the teeth with rally survival kits:, plastic chairs, umbrellas that did absolutely nothing against dust storms, and lungs trained to inhale two kilograms of dust without flinching. Some were sipping on “Avgas smoothies,” while others screamed themselves hoarse trying to pronounce “Proto.” Ladies and gentlemen, it was officially game on where the only thing faster than the cars is the gossip on who rolled where.
In the star role of the day was Yasin Nasser, piloting his rocket ship a Ford Fiesta R5 like he had a date with destiny and didn’t want to be late. With Ali Katumba temporarily off-duty, Yasin’s co-driving seat was filled by Mildred Kibuuka, who clearly didn’t come to read maps but to make rally history. Together, they danced through the dusty curves and jumps, winning three out of four runs, and clocked a total time of 8:04.91.
Second place went to the ever-entertaining Duncan “Kikankane” Mubiru, whose Ford Fiesta Proto briefly forgot it was in a race and decided to take a nap in the first run a misfire that probably made his engine question its career path. But trust Kikankane to bounce back like a slap from a Ugandan mother. He and co-driver Joseph Bongole came back swinging, won the last run like pros, and finished just 10 seconds behind Yasin with a time of 8:14.15. We’re not saying Duncan bribed the car to behave in the final run… but let’s just say some suspicious whispers were heard near the bonnet.
In third came Ronald Sebuguzi and Anthony Mugambwa, whose Shell-sponsored Ford Fiesta Proto ran smoother than a TikTok dance tutorial. Not a single hiccup, no drama, no gossip just clean runs and neat lines. So clean, in fact, that fans almost suspected they were in a driving school exam. Their final time? 8:17.80 solid enough to stand tall, but just not wild enough to steal headlines from the chaos ahead.
In fourth, Edson Mungyereza and Rogers Sirwomu pushed their Subaru GVB to the limit, probably inspiring a few boda riders in the crowd to start dreaming big.
Fifth place was a family affair: Omar Mayanja and his daughter Shakirah Nalugwa tackled the route in their Mitsubishi Evo X, lovingly named the “Mud Viper” (because calling it “Swamp Lizard” didn’t sound fierce enough). Watching them drive together was like watching Fast & Furious: Family Edition, and we’re here for it!
In the 2WD category, Ibrahim Lubega and his loyal Toyota Corolla FX a car that’s survived more rallies than most relationships stormed to victory with a time of 9:45.88., winning the class and confirming that FXs are not just for taxis and boda-chasing. He was followed closely by Julius Semambo and Diana Nagawa, who gave us a show worthy of popcorn, and Najib Sempijja closed the podium in a drive that was smoother than a Katikiro’s speech.
Final Results Top 10
1.Yasin Nasser/ Mildred Kibuuka 8:4.91
2.Duncan Mubiru/ Joseph Bongole 8:14.15
3.Ronald Sebuguzi/ Anthony Mugambwa 8:17.8
4.Edson Mungyereza/ Rogers Sirwomu 8:28.52
5.Omar Mayanja/ Shakira Nalugwa Shakirah
6.Nasser Mutebi/ Isaac wasswa 8:45.41
7.Andy Musoke/ Richard Sengendo 8:58.53
8.Haruna Kataza/ Isaac Lumu 9:03.1
9.Denis Bahizi/ We Kamp Eva 9:10.89
10.Umar Dauda / Steven Bunya 9:30.66
Next Stop: Fort Portal Rally – Let the Madness Continue
Now that Garuga’s dust has settled , the rally circus packs its bags, spare tires, and drama, and heads west to the mystical lands of Fort Portal for the UMC Fort Portal Rally. Scheduled for 22nd to 24th August, the countdown is officially on just 26 days to go! Kyakaigo, brace yourselves! We’re coming back louder, dustier and If Garuga was the appetizer, Fort Portal is shaping up to be the full-course buffet with turbo sauce!
