Ugandan rally driver Ponsiano Lwakataka is set to compete in the Huye Rally Championship 2026 in Rwanda after receiving an invitation to participate in the three-day event.
Lwakataka, who competes under the Mafu Mafu Rally Team, told Bbeg Media in a telephone interview that he was honoured to be invited to the competition, which runs from October 16 to 18 in Huye District.
“I want to tell all my fans that, because of my influence and record in motorsport, I was invited by the Government of Rwanda to take part in their rally in Huye District,” Lwakataka said.
The experienced driver will compete in his Subaru Impreza N12B, a four-wheel-drive rally car sponsored by city businessman Komodo.
Lwakataka recently drove the Volkswagen Polo Proto previously associated with the late businessman and rally driver Rajiv Ruparelia. However, he has opted to use his Subaru for the Huye event as he continues to work towards acquiring and preparing the more powerful Volkswagen Proto for competition.
He said he was looking forward to representing Uganda and promised his supporters a strong performance against drivers from Rwanda and other countries expected to participate in the championship.
The Huye Rally Championship, organised under the Rwanda Automobile Club, will feature rally cars and motorcycles. It is listed as part of Rwanda’s 2026 motorsport calendar and is scheduled to run from Friday to Sunday.
Lwakataka also expressed hope that he would get an opportunity to meet Rwandan President Paul Kagame during his visit.
He said he would use such an opportunity to seek support for his ambition to promote motorsport across East Africa and the wider African continent.
“If I get an opportunity to meet President Kagame, I would ask him to support my dream of promoting motorsport in East Africa and Africa as a whole,” he said.
The Ugandan driver also raised concerns about the mechanical condition of the Volkswagen Proto, saying he would seek financial assistance to maintain the car if he secured an opportunity to discuss his plans with the Rwandan president. [WATCH VIDEO]
Lwakataka has been working towards acquiring the Volkswagen Polo Proto to improve his competitiveness in local and international rally competitions. The car was previously driven by Ruparelia, whose participation helped raise the profile of the vehicle in Ugandan motorsport.
The Huye competition will bring together several drivers and motorcycle riders for three days of racing on routes around the southern Rwandan district.
Among the competitors mentioned by Lwakataka are Ugandan drivers Isaac Kayiira, Dauda Umaru and Kwakwanya, alongside other regional participants.
He also referred to drivers identified as Bazute and Miss Uganda Rwanda, although their full names and competition categories could not be independently confirmed.
Lwakataka said the rally programme would include a 40-kilometre competitive drive on Saturday, alongside scheduled service sessions during which teams inspect and repair their cars between stages.
The event is expected to attract motorsport fans from Rwanda and neighbouring countries, providing drivers with an opportunity to test their skills against regional competitors.
