Shafic Kiyaga
When Susan Muwonge was handed her championship trophy at the podium in Mbale on Sunday, she entered record books, again.
Already as Africa’s first and only female national champion, Muwonge’s second National Rally Championship made her the only two-time female national rally champion world over.
With the first triumph in 2011, Muwonge joined the rank of only handful of women who have won national rallies like Australia’s Molly Taylor in 2016 and UK’s Louise Aitken-Walker in 1982. Others are UK’s Pat Moss, Germany’s Isolde Holderied, New Zealand’s Emma Gilmour and France’s Michelle Mouton.
Locally, she joins Moses Lumala (1999, 2003) and Ponsiano Lwakataka (2005, 2007) as the three drivers with two national titles.
At the start of her rally career in 2005, nobody ever thought a lady could reign supreme in a sport mostly dominated by men. But 13 years later, Muwonge has achieved what some men only dream.
Many will be excused for thinking that Super Lady, as she is referred to had an easy ride to this year’s title. Her performances throughout the season have been top notch and she has really conquered the elements to emerge victorious.
While this is not her first national victory, in 2011 when she first conquered the championship, many believed it was down to luck and not pure pace. Doing it once could be accounted to luck but twice shows quality, skill and ‘Thanos’ like strength and determination.
Muwonge’s secret ingredient has been her consistence and convincing pace. She has not failed to finish any particular event this year. She finished second in Hoima, third in Mbarara and Fort Portal rallies and claimed fifth overall during Pearl Rally. Jinja rally was her only blemish as she finished outside the top 10.
Winning in Mbale was the icing on the cake after such commanding drives.
Consistent she has been that almost every rally fan can identify the lime green Subaru N12 from a forest of rally cars.
While thanking her husband for being there for her, Muwonge also acknowledged the important role her navigator has played enroute title number two.
Edmond Kyeyune has been so ever present during the highs and lows.
‘A navigator is a rally driver’s best friend’ and Muwonge and Kyeyune have formed such a formidable partnership in the cockpit since 2005.
One particular event of note is when Muwonge was reduced to tears after an unsuccessful event. However, Kyeyune kept his calm and whispered encouraging words into her ears.
Pace notes are what guide a driver and determine the speed they carry. Kyeyune ensures the notes are ready on time. His job is not yet done until he reads these notes to the dot. A misread and a crew could be plunged 100 meters into a valley.
“I might be seen as the boss because I sit behind the steering wheel and own the car but my boss is actually Kyeyune who guides me on where to go and how to get to the finish line,” Muwonge said in an earlier interview. “I cannot do it without him.”
YEAR CHAMPIONS
2018 – Suzan Muwonge
2017 – Christakis Fitidis
2016 – Jas Mangat
2015 – Arthur Blick Junior
2014 – Ronald Ssebuguzi
2013 – Jas Mangat
2012 – Jas Mangat
2011 – Susan Muwonge
2010 – Nasser Mutebi
2009 – Ronald Ssebuguzi
2008 – Dr Ashraf Ahmed
2007 – Ponsiano Lwakataka
2006 – Ronald Ssebuguzi
2005 – Ponsiano Lwakataka
2004 – Charlie Lubega
2003 – Moses Lumala
2002 – Charlie Lubega
2001 – Charlie Lubega
2000 – Charlie Lubega
1999 – Moses Lumala
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