After more than seven years away from competitive rallying, Ambrose Byona, popularly known as ‘Omunyeto’, is preparing to make a return to the cockpit, targeting a full campaign in the 2027 National Rally Championship (NRC).
The jovial driver, who made his name under the Desh Rally Team, revealed his comeback plans during the KCB UMC Rwenzori Region Rally 2026, where he took a break from competition to serve as a Route Opener, Car Zero, for the event organisers, UMC.
Byona’s rally journey began as a ‘route opener’ in a Mitsubishi Desert Warrior before the competitive bug pushed him into full-time rallying. He subsequently drove different Mitsubishi models, ranging from the Evo IX to his current Ralliart-prepared Evo X. Now, he believes the time is right to return to serious competition.
“I am planning a big return in 2027 for a full-season championship contention in a Mitsubishi Evo X,” Byona said.
He is equally ambitious about his longer-term plans, revealing that he hopes to introduce a short-boot Toyota Yaris Proto midway through his comeback campaign, with plans to drive it around August 2028.
“I think I can match the current top runners of the sport,” he added.
Byona is also looking to bring the next generation into motorsport through his 19-year-old son, Zac Byona, whom he plans to introduce to Autocross as a beginner.
Interestingly, Zac will begin his motorsport journey in a Mitsubishi Evo X formerly owned by the late Rajiv Ruparelia. The comeback project will operate under the Omunyeto Rally Team, which Byona says will be fully sponsored by Yaobai Cement, Karamoja Cement, Lato Milk, Jonard Investments and Kabango Coffee.
Meanwhile, Duncan Mubiru ‘Kikankane’ continued his impressive return to competition by securing back-to-back victories, following his Gulu Rally triumph last month.
Mubiru won the fifth National Rally Championship round (NRC5) in the Rwenzori region with a time of 1:21:25.69. The 2026 NRC leader, Hassan Alwi, navigated by Musa Nsubuga in a Ford Fiesta Proto, finished second, while Jonas Kansiime claimed third position in a Mitsubishi Evo VIII.
Walter Kibande was fourth in a Subaru, while Umar Dauda completed the top five. Despite mechanical setbacks, KCB Bank-sponsored drivers Nasser Mutebi and Oscar Ntambi finished tenth overall.
Veteran Moses Lumala was seventh after breaking his rear-left suspension arm, while Haruna Katazza finished eighth. The championship moves to the Bunyoro region for the UMOSPOC Kabalega Rally, scheduled for November 22 to 24, 2026.