Ugandan crews experienced mixed fortunes on Friday, March 13, during the second day of action at the Safari Rally Kenya in Naivasha, with two drivers completing the day’s stages while one was forced to retire.
Yasin Nasser was the first of the Ugandan drivers to encounter trouble after his car developed a misfire during the morning stages, forcing him to drop out despite starting the day strongly.
In contrast, team captain Duncan Mubiru, popularly known as Kikankane, successfully completed the full day without incident.
Mubiru navigated all the stages cleanly with no crashes or major technical issues, an impressive performance on a rally known for punishing terrain and unpredictable conditions.
Speaking after the stages, Mubiru said the routes had generally been manageable but admitted that the Mzabibu stage proved to be the toughest test of the day.
The Ugandan driver also revealed that both he and his co driver were battling heavy flu symptoms and persistent coughing as they worked through the demanding stages.
Oscar Ntambi also completed the day’s running, although his car sustained damage during the stages. Ntambi returned to the final stage with a damaged door but was still able to finish the day.
Reflecting on his experience after the stages, Ntambi described the rally as a major learning opportunity, noting the clear differences between rally organisation in Uganda and events run under the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile structure.
He explained that the event had exposed him to a different level of organisation and professionalism, particularly around safety procedures, which he said are given significant attention at international competitions.
The Safari Rally remains one of the toughest events on the calendar, with crews continuing to battle difficult stages as the rally progresses toward its conclusion on Sunday.
