Uganda: Muwonge Sets Early Pace in NRC Title Race

James Ssekandi

28 February 2011

Nrc Standings — For a while now, motorsport in Uganda had been the monopoly of a certain class of society. In fact, you could summarise it in two words – rich men.

However, over the weekend Susan “Super Lady” Muwonge sealed her second National Rally Championship (NRC) event victory in Mbarara, adding to the success in the UMOSPOC Challenge Rally two years ago and like any other ambitious rallying person, her dreams rotate around a national title.

“Nothing is impossible, I can win it. It’s them to chase me now and I like that,” says Muwonge (Subaru N8), who won the 2007 Clubman Rally Championship title. She beat her closest challenger Wycliffe Bukenya (Mitsubishi Evo7) by 11 minutes to the Mbarara Rally with Dr. Ahmed Ashraf, who won the 2009 event, finishing third on Saturday.

“This lady is a lion-hearted driver who isn’t satisfied until she beats men,” her navigator Edmond Kyeyune said.

Myth demystified

The emergence of Muwonge four years ago has now firmly shaken the myth that this sport is meant only for rich men. “I have committed sponsors (Kobil) along with my family and that’s keeps me going,” she added. Even with Ponsiano Lwakataka, Ronald Ssebuguzi, Nasser Mutebi, Ahmed Ashraf and Charles Muhangi in the mix, Muwonge remains unfazed with the level of competition.

The quintent have seven national titles between with Lwakataka and Ronald Ssebuguzi boasting two apiece. “No one thought Nasser would win last year but he did. It’s different when you get into the cockpit because anything can happen from an engine break-down to rolling,” said Muwonge.

Next on the NRC calendar is the UMOSPOC Challenge Rally on March 26 in Masaka. It should be another gruelling if not exciting race.

S. Muwonge – 100pts

W. Bukenya – 75

A. Ashraf – 60

E. Mungyereza – 50

I. Otega – 40

AllAfrica – All the Time