Mangat wins MPU Rally, 3 injured fans still in hospital

A makeshift pavilion collapsed on Saturday, leaving 25 spectators injured.

MPU Coca-Cola Rally

RESULTS
Jas Mangat 01:47.28
Ronald Ssebuguzi 01:49.03
Duncan Mubiru 01:52.15
Arthur Blick 02:02.23
Omar Mayanja 02:03.52
Edson Mungyereza 02:29.19
Abdu Mambo 02:33.59
Jonas Kansiime 02:50.00
Ismail Ortega 02:54.19
Abdu Kateete 03:22.22
P. Ssebambulidde 03:35.05

CURRENT NRC STANDINGS
Ronald Ssebuguzi 186 points
Jas Mangat 185
Duncan Mubiru 171
Ponsiano Lwakataka 164
Arthur Blick 118
Omar Mayanja 115

Kampala

Jas Mangat braved a soggy route following heavy rain in Masaka to win the two-day MPU Coca-cola Challenge Rally yesterday.

Mangat took a 10-second lead over Ronald Ssebuguzi from day one and clocked 1 hour, 47 minutes and 28 seconds to finish ahead of Ronald Ssebuguzi. Now the National Rally Championship (NRC) title is in Mangat’s reach after the victory helped him close the gap on leader Ssebuguzi to just one point. “I am happy to have won my first event [of the season],” Mangat said. “I was unlucky not to have won in Mbarara. But I am now back in contention to defend my title.”

His victory was, however, overshadowed by an accident in which close to 25 spectators were injured and rushed to hospital after a makeshift pavilion from which they were following proceedings of the rally collapsed on Saturday.

Two of the spectators suffered compound arm fractures while another had a fractured leg. The three are still receiving treatment at Masaka Regional Referral Hospital while the other 22 had been discharged by press time. Police said the pavilion was filled beyond capacity.

Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of Uganda (FMU) president George Fred Kagimu regretted the incident and asked organisers to erect a permanent pavilion for future events.

Meanwhile, despite finishing second in 1:49.03, Ssebuguzi was impressed with his display after he overhauled Ponsiano Lwakataka to lead the NRC standings at 186 points. Lwakataka was top of the standings (164) heading to Masaka but got disqualified after reporting late for scrutineering. “This performance gives me confidence to challenge for more,” Ssebuguzi said. Duncan Mubiru finished third while Arthur Blick settled for fourth place.

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