The just-concluded Kabale Rally in Uganda turned out to be a nightmare for Rwandan rally crew of Jean Claude Gakwaya and navigator Claude Mugabo.

The duo was among the ten drivers who bowed out on day one of the ‘Gorilla Mist Rally’ that ended over the weekend in Western Uganda, after their Subaru Impreza developed mechanical problems.

Gakwaya was the second Rwandan to race in the Kabale rally, which is part of the Rwandan National Rally Championships.

Nine Ugandan drivers also bowed out on the same day of the competition including; Arthur Blick Jr. (Ugandan champion), Hassan Alwi, Musa Kabega, Yasin Mukasa, Umar Dauda, Musa Kizito, Sadat Negombe, Andy Musoke and Eddie Mukiibi.

Ugandan Duncan Mubiru, who topped day one, went ahead to claim the podium finish using 2hrs, 17 minutes, 31 seconds to register his first win since 2015, in the Mbarara rally.

Ronald Sebuguzi finished second overall while Kuku Ranjit came third with a time of 2h 20’08” and 2h28’36” respectively.

Rwanda’s Fabric Nyiridandi clocked a time of 3h50’45” to finish second behind Uganda’s Ismail Lule in the two-wheel category.

Only 13 out of the 27 crews that started managed to finish the two-day race that covered a total distance of 178.86 kilometres and was divided into six competitive stages.

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