Byron Rugomoka Akiiki yesterday won Kigezi Boona Motor rally 2022 held in Rukungiri district.
Organized by Motorsport Africa Rally Club (MOSAC), the two-day event which attracted 16 drivers across the country was held in Rukungiri to commemorate the late rally driver Wilberforce Pole Pole who died in December 2020. Six drivers failed to finish the event
Rugomoka who was navigated by Hakim Mwanda in a Mitshubishi Evo X, clocked 1:34:30:80 to beat Jonas Kansiime navigated by Ivan Tushabe in a Mitshubishi Evo 8 who posted 1:36:22:50.
Mark Lubega navigated by Daniel Mbabazi in a Subaru Impreza emerged the third after they clocked 1:50:48:10.
Rugomoka’s win in Rukungiri makes him a national champion with 354 points after adding 100 points to his 254. Rugomoka now beats Posiano Lwakataka who has been the national rally champion with 332 points.
Rugomoka attributes his win to God and the good weather on the two rain free days in Rukungiri.
Rugomoka was however worried about defending his title saying that he is driving an old vehicle noting that his Mitshubishi Evo X is seven years old making it difficult to compete with new model and modern vehicles that other competing rally drivers like Jas Mangat have bought.
Speaking at the handover of trophies at Heritage Hotel Rukungiri on Sunday evening, Jimmy Frank Beyendera, the MOSAC president said that while MOSAC is totally aimed at appreciating the role the late Pole Pole played towards promoting rally driving in the country, his family was opposed to the exercise
Wenceslas Maanige and Mary Paula Turyahikayo, The sponsors of the Kigezi Boona Motor rally say that money collected will be used to construct a patients’ shed at Rwamahwa health center IV in Rukungiri Municipality. They also asked other road users like boda boda riders and taxi drivers not to dare imitate rally drivers in order not to risk their lives.
