The National Rally Championship (NRC) returns to the Teso sub-region this week for the first time in 56 years, reviving memories of one of Ugandan motorsport’s darkest moments.
Eastern Motor Club (EMC), in partnership with the Federation of Motorsport Clubs of Uganda (FMU), is organising the Teso Rally as part of efforts to spread the championship to different regions of the country.
The fourth round of the 2026 National Rally Championship will be held from July 23-25 across Soroti and Katakwi districts, marking the NRC’s first competitive event in the sub-region.
Crews will tackle a demanding 289.02-kilometre route featuring 10 competitive stages on the fast and flowing roads of Eastern Uganda.
A return marked by history
The rally’s return inevitably recalls the tragic death of Ugandan driver Major David Ndahura during the 1970 East African Safari Rally.
On March 28, 1970, Ndahura was competing in a Ford Cortina GT when his car was swept away by flash floods while attempting to cross the swollen Tiva Bridge during the opening leg of the gruelling rally.
His co-driver, Jouis Agard, managed to save himself by swimming to safety, but Ndahura was carried away by the floodwaters and drowned.
At the time, the East African Safari Rally was regarded as one of the world’s toughest endurance events. Reports indicated that only 44 of the 91 starters remained in the 3,200-mile contest, with Finnish star Rauno Aaltonen—one of the favourites—also among those forced to retire.
Ndahura was a 28-year-old retired Major in the Uganda Army. After completing his final assignment at the Wellington Staff Officers College, he had been dismissed from the army by then-President Milton Obote.
He was survived by his 25-year-old wife and four children, the youngest just three months old. His father, Jesse Ndahura, served on the medical staff at Kumi Leprosy Centre, now Kumi Hospital.
Agard later emigrated to Canada, where he died several years later.
The 1970 Safari Rally formed part of the International Championship for Manufacturers (IMC), which ran from 1970 to 1972 before evolving into the World Rally Championship in 1973.
The event was also overshadowed by another tragedy after Japanese driver Eiichi Morinishi lost his life during reconnaissance for one of the stages near Nairobi, Kenya, about a month before the rally.
FMU prepared region for two years
FMU General Secretary Reynolds Kibira said the federation deliberately took time to ensure the region was ready before awarding it a championship event.
“It’s been a long time coming because if you read the history of motorsport, we had colleagues who perished in flash floods when rally last went to that region,” Kibira said.
“For us, it has been a long journey. We spent two years assessing the region. We went to Soroti in 2024 for an exhibition event, then to Katakwi in 2025 where we introduced rally cars, motorcycles and deployed our officials to assess the area’s readiness.”
“That was in compliance with the National Sports Act, 2023, which requires every sport to have national spread and presence.”
“We assessed the infrastructure and, with the support of State Minister for Sports Peter Ogwang, concluded that Katakwi is ready. The region has hospitals and evacuation is manageable, especially around Soroti.”
Championship battle intensifies
The Teso Rally arrives at a crucial stage of the championship, with title contenders eager to strengthen their positions.
Hassan Alwi and co-driver Musa Nsubuga lead the standings after a consistent opening to the season.
They will, however, face stiff competition from Duncan Mubiru, who sits second overall, while Jonas Kansime remains firmly in contention in third place.
The fast, flowing roads of Soroti and Katakwi are expected to reward speed, precision and endurance, with little margin for error.
Competition begins with four stages on the opening day before crews contest an evening Super Special Stage.
The 17.16-kilometre IUEA Stage will be the day’s longest test, while the 10.65-kilometre Segamu 14 Stage will be the shortest.
The rally concludes in Katakwi District, where competitors will tackle two repeated stages before the decisive Power Stage.
The 18.09-kilometre Steadfast Forwarders Stage is the longest on the final day, while the MMC Stage measures 13.60 kilometres.
NRC Leaderboard
- Hassan Alwi – 177pts
- Duncan Mubiru – 129
- Jonas Kansiime – 93
- Moses Lumala – 85
- Umar Dauda – 82
- Oscar Ntambi – 78
- Randeep Singh – 77
- Walter Kibande – 74
- Yassin Nasser – 73
- Julius Ssemambo – 71
Confirmed crews for 2026 Teso rally:
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