KAMPALA — Veteran Ugandan rally driver Ponsiano Lwakataka has moved closer to a return to competitive motorsport after the Ruparelia Group of Companies contributed Shs25 million towards his campaign to acquire a new rally car.
The two-time national rally champion is seeking Shs220 million to purchase a Volkswagen Proto previously owned by the late rally driver Rajiv Ruparelia. The latest contribution reduces the amount needed to Shs195 million.
Lwakataka’s comeback campaign has attracted growing support from Uganda’s motorsport community as the veteran driver seeks to return to the national rally championship after an absence from competitive racing.
He is expected to hold a fundraising sprint at Garuga on September 20, where he plans to mobilise additional financial support and unveil the new car.
Speaking after receiving the Ruparelia Group contribution, Lwakataka expressed gratitude for the support and appealed to rally enthusiasts to turn up for the fundraising event.
“I am really happy and I want to assure our fans that the day of the unveiling of the rally car will be special. I call upon all rally fans to come to Garuga and see our car,” Lwakataka said.
The Garuga event will also commemorate 25 years of Lwakataka’s career in motorsport. As part of the celebrations, he plans to sell a commemorative magazine documenting his journey in rallying at Shs10,000 per copy.
Lwakataka believes the Volkswagen Proto will give him a stronger platform for his return to competitive rallying.
He has nicknamed the new machine “Rabbit,” contrasting it with his previous car, which he called “Snake.”
According to the veteran driver, the handling characteristics of his previous car presented challenges that sometimes affected his performance, particularly because the front and rear sections did not always respond predictably.
He is confident the new car will offer better handling and improve his competitiveness when he returns to the national championship.
“Rabbit will jump in the same direction,” Lwakataka said, expressing optimism about the new machine.
The Shs25 million contribution from Ruparelia Group is therefore an important step in Lwakataka’s Shs220 million fundraising drive, which seeks to put one of Uganda’s most experienced rally drivers back on the competitive stage.
With Shs195 million still required, the September 20 Garuga fundraiser is expected to be a major test of the support behind Lwakataka’s highly anticipated return to rallying.
The post Ruparelia Group Injects Shs25m Into Lwakataka’s Rally Comeback appeared first on Watchdog Uganda.