Experienced co-driver Enock Olinga returned to the cockpit to guide Jas Mangat to victory in the MPU Mbarara rally.
The crew Hyundai i20 R5 took the lead right from the start of the two-day event in the western part of the country that covered seven stages.
Mangat, the three-time national champion posted a total time loss of an hour, 10.23 minutes, nine minutes ahead of Jonas Kansiime in a Mitsubishi Evo8 who finished second.
Ponsiano Lwakataka came third posting a total time loss of an hour,20.48 minutes.
This kept the Mafu-Mafu crew close to the title chase and has hope that he can win this year’s championship.
In the 2WD category, Edward Kirumira, navigated by Shakira Nabwami shocked defending champion Ibrahim Lubega aka Pasuwa.
Kirumira in a Toyota Corolla finished eighth overall, on top of winning the 2WD category.
Lubega will now target revenge in the next event scheduled to take place in Masaka in the next month, organized by the Southern Motor Club. With Mangat’s dominant performance setting the standard, competitors brace themselves for another thrilling installment in the rally season.
Musa Sagamu won the clubman rally championship category while Odion Tumwebaze came third.
UMOSPOC driver fueled by Shell V-Power Ronald Sebuguzi co-driven by Anthony Mugambwa in a Ford Fiesta Proto, encountered mechanical issues losing close to 34 minutes.
This affected the three-time national champion but managed to finish 12th overall while Fred Busulwa Kitaka dropped out of the rally due to suspension damage.
Clerk of the Course Jackson Sserwanga canceled the on of the stage to manage time.
The MPU Mbarara Rally Results 2024
1.Jas Mangat/Enoch Olinga 1:10:23
2.Jonas Kansime / Ronald Bukenya 1:20:21
3.Ponsiano Lwakataka/ paul Musazi 1:20:48
4.Moustapha Mukasa/Lawrence Mwambazi 1:30:37
5.Didas Matsiko/Alfred Mutanda 1:31:06
6.Joshua Muwanguzi/Hamza Lwanga 1:31:39
7.Isaac Ssozi/Monica Birwinyo 1:41:16
8.Edward Kirumira/Shakira Nabwami 1:41:45
9.Ibrahim Lubega/Robert Katabalwa 1:47:48
10.Samuel Watendwa/alvin Luyimbazi 1:47:49
11.Ronald Sebuguzi/Anthony Mugambwa 1:50:24
12.Moses Okello / Isma Musoke 1:50:32
13.Godfrey Nsereko/Jb Musisi 1:51:01
14.Faizo Kayira/Hakim Kamoga 1:54:06
15.Amir Kavuma/Doreen Nabirah 1:57:40
16.Salim Gasemba/Emmanuel Mugulusi 2:03:05
17.Julious Semambo/ Diana Nagawa 2:14:16.
