Eighteen years after stepping away from competitive rallying, former female rally champion Rose Nassonko Lwakataka, better known as ‘Flying Chick’, is ready to return to the cockpit.
Nassonko will make her comeback this Sunday, September 20, at Garuga, where she will team up with senior lady co-driver Mildred Kibuuka in a Subaru Impreza N12B previously driven by her husband, Ponsiano Lwakataka.
Her return will form part of celebrations marking Lwakataka’s 25 years in motorsport, alongside the official unveiling of his new Volkswagen Polo Proto. Nassonko’s comeback rekindles memories of her competitive peak.
In 2008, she was named Uganda Telecom USPA Sports Personality of the Month for April after finishing as the best-placed Ugandan driver in the KCB Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally, won by Zimbabwe’s Jamie Whyte.
That same year, she was among the leading contenders for the National Rally Championship, battling Dr Ahmed Ashraf before a controversial stewards’ decision ended her challenge.
Nassonko was handed a one-minute penalty at the UMC Rally in Manyangwa, Gayaza and, despite being on course to finish third, was disqualified for lateness. Ronald Ssebuguzi won the rally ahead of Ashraf, who subsequently took both the NRC and CRC titles by nine points.
Now, almost two decades later, Nassonko insists the speed has not left her.
“Though I have been out of the cockpit for about two decades, I still have the skills to race. It’s only Susan who can humble me,” she said.
She was referring to two-time National Rally Champion Susan Muwonge, whom she regards as her biggest female rival.
“Let the likes of Doreen Asiimwe and any other female driver put their bet ready. I will tame them as a crazy speed mother,” Nassonko added.
The Garuga sprint is also intended to raise funds towards Lwakataka’s new Polo Proto, but the veteran driver says the occasion should not be mistaken for a farewell.
“I am not yet retiring as my fans still want me around and believe I am the most competitive Ugandan driver ever,” said Lwakataka, popularly nicknamed the Golola Moses of motorsport.
He credits his enduring popularity to the excitement he brings to rallying and the support of fans who have backed his career, including helping him acquire competition cars.
“I give rally the vibe fans yearn for. It’s the reason they have stood by me and bought me rally cars like the Subaru N12B formerly owned by Jas Mangat, and now the Proto,” he said.
Lwakataka also wants the new car to silence critics who accused him of relying on old machinery.
“Their time is now. I fear no one,” he said, pointing to victories over R5 machinery in East Africa, including cars driven by former African champions Manvir Baryan and Karan Patel.
Clerk of the Course George Ssemakula said crews will compete in pairs over two nonstop runs, before the top 10 battle for honours in a third heat. Among those confirmed is in-form veteran Moses Lumala, who will be accompanied by his trainer, eight-time Latvian champion Maris Neiksans, founder of Neiksans Rallysport, in high-performance prototypes.