After almost ten years of silence, the roar of rally engines is set to echo across the slopes of Mountain Elgon this weekend, marking the return of competitive motorsport to the region.
This Saturday, Mbale City will host the centerpiece of a multi-district rally championship, with the spectator stage at Maluku DA Grounds, while competitive stages stretch across the rugged terrains of Budaka and Bukedea districts.
The event is the first major rally in Eastern Uganda since 2016, a hiatus that stakeholders say has slowed fan engagement and talent development.
The rally will traverse challenging routes designed to test both driver skill and machine endurance. In Budaka District, the course will be flagged off at Naboa, snaking through Kasulet, Kakoli, and Kyakoli before returning to the tarmac.
Bukedea District will host two additional stages—from Aligoi to Kolir, and from Kakere to Kachumbala—offering a test of terrain and precision.
Co-organizer Jamil Luwama Mukyakaze emphasized that while the event promises excitement, safety remains paramount.
“We urge fans to follow the guidance of marshals and avoid unnecessary risks. Motorsport is thrilling, but it must be enjoyed responsibly,” he said.
Organizers have issued advisories urging motorists and pedestrians—particularly boda boda riders—to steer clear of designated rally routes during race hours.
“LCs in affected areas have been mobilized to sensitize communities, as rally vehicles will cut through several rural settlements,” Mukyakaze added.
For veteran driver Ponsiano “Mafu Mafu” Rwakataka, the rally is more than just a race—it is a strategic effort to restore motorsport culture in Eastern Uganda.
“This is about reigniting interest and taking the sport closer to the people,” he said. Rwakataka also highlighted that the event will serve as a talent identification platform.
“Anyone with potential in rally driving or motorcycle racing can be supported and trained,” he noted, pointing to increased government funding for the sport.
Salongo Marufu, Public Relations Officer for the Eastern Motor Club, described the rally as a turning point.
“This is an opportunity for Eastern Uganda not just to witness, but to host and grow a major sporting event,” he said.
The rally is expected to draw some of the country’s top drivers, including Oscar Natambi, Duncan Mubiri, and Yasmin Nasser, who will also be involved in safety oversight.
For a region long absent from the motorsport spotlight, this weekend’s championship could mark the beginning of a new chapter defined by renewed ambition.
