By Venessa Namusabi
Ugandan rally crews to the WRC Safari rally were full of smiles on Tuesday March3,2026,days before departure to the Global championship in Naivasaha Kenya.
This follows the Federation of Motorsport Clubs of Uganda (FMU) giving each driver sh10m support to represent the country Uganda in the World Rally Championship (WRC) Kenya Safari Rally due March 12-15 in Naivasha Kenya.
FMU vice president handed over the cheques to the drivers that included Timothy Gawaya aka Stinger, Oscar Ntambi and Duncan Mubiru at afunction held at National Council of Sports Lugogo includig that of Yasin Nasser totaling to sh40m support to the four drivers.
Gawaya navigated by Francis Wamala in Ibza will competing inn the 2WD category, while Duncan Mubiru navigated by Joseph Kamya will in Subaru GVB will compete on the Africa Rally Championship (ARC2) and the same will be the KCB sponsored Oscar Ntambi navigated by Uthman Muhammad in a mitsubish Lancer Evolution 10.
The other driver Yasin Nasser will fly the Tanzania Flag because of his nationalty but will be navigated by Ali Katumba holding a Uganda license and flag.
National Council of Sports assistant general Secretary Milton Chebet urged the crews to be disciplined ant lift the Uganda flag high.
He also promised them reward if they deliver good results by winning the rally because government has a rewarding policy to performing athletes in all disciplines.
“We are proud of you and we want you to represent us well. I know it is going to be tough there but remember good performance is rewarded. Government has rewarding policy to those who perform well at the international competitions,” Chebet said.
FMU acting president Hajji Hamidu Gombe thanked the drivers for representing the country and urged them to protect the image of the Federation and the government of Uganda.
“We want you to fly the Uganda flag and protect and our image. As a federation we are contributing sh10m to each driver competing in the championship,” Gombe said before handing over the cheques to the drivers.
The 2026 WRC has attracted strong line up for the Rally 1 led by Sabastian Ogier, Elfyn Evans, Takamoto Katsuta, Sami Pajari and Oliver Solberg in the Toyota team.
The Hyundai team has Thiery Neuville, Ott Tanak, Adrien Fourmaux and Hayden Paddon.
