By Priscilla Sarah Nakimbugwe
JINJA, UGANDA – In a motorsport fairytale powered by pure passion and relentless persistence, Timothy Gawaya, affectionately known in rally circles as Stinger, made history as the first Ugandan crew to register for the World Rally Championship (WRC) 2025 under the 2WD category. The international event took place on March 21st to 23rd March 2025 in Kenya. Born and raised in the heart of Jinja – now a city – his journey from roadside rally spectator to the international racing arena is both remarkable and deeply inspiring.
Timothy’s love affair with rallying started young, watching rally cars roar through the streets of Jinja. “That dream, the sound, the crowd – it stirred something in me,” he recalls. His passion intensified during his university days at Makerere University, where motorsport often took precedence over lectures. “I skipped classes, missed tests, even got retakes because of rallying,” he admits with a chuckle. The turning point came at Garuga, the first time he saw rally cars on track. “It was electric. I knew this was my calling.”
In 2015, Timothy took a bold leap and entered his first competitive rally. With a Toyota Corolla and first-time navigator Lawrence Mwambazi, he participated in a local event in Jinja. “I was up at 4 a.m., nervously pacing to the toilet unsure why,” he remembers. “And my navigator had slept in a different place and went off the radar. He showed up at 9 a.m., after the first section had already started!” Despite the chaos, the experience was unforgettable, a trial by fire that only deepened his resolve.
Today, Gawaya drives a SEAT Ibiza, a 2WD car that holds a special place in WRC history, having clinched four consecutive titles from 1996 to 1999. “This car is my baby,” he says. “It’s got serious power and history. I spend a lot on it – importing parts from abroad because they aren’t available here. It’s what I call passion expenditure – spending recklessly because you love it.”
Gawaya’s journey has been shared with his long-time co-driver Francis Wamala, his navigator and trusted friend for over nine years. “Our bond is deep,” Timothy says. “We don’t just share notes; we share our lives. In rallying, you hold each other’s lives in your hands. Our friendship is our greatest strength.” He believes this unity is rare but vital in motorsport. “Many change co-drivers due to personality clashes. For us, we’ve become family.”
Getting listed in the WRC Safari Rally 2025 was nothing short of a dream. My dream came true . “Seeing my name on the entry list felt surreal. I used to think it was impossible – and now I’m in it,” he shares. One unforgettable moment was the sea of Ugandan fans waving flags at Kasarani Stadium in Kenya – his favorite rally stage. “That place gives me goosebumps. The crowd, the energy, the layout – it’s special.”
Rally days are intense besides Helmet. “I never forget my painkillers,” Timothy says with a grin. “I get stressed before every rally – there’s so much pressure – so I always carry something for the headache.” But the motivation to keep going comes from his childhood heroes and Uganda’s motorsport legends: Ronald Ssebuguzi, Omar Mayanja, Jas Mangat, Duncan Mubiru, Ponsiano Lwakataka, and many more. “They inspired me to believe a Ugandan could stand on the world stage.”
Currently competing in the Africa Rally Championship (ARC), Gawaya is gearing up for a busy July. First up is the Rwanda Mountain Gorilla Rally, scheduled for July 4th–6th, 2025, where he’ll go head-to-head with some of Africa’s finest. Just days later, he returns home for the one event he calls “unmissable” — the Jinja Rally – Bugerere STABEX EMC Rally, running July 10th–12th. “That’s my hometown. Jinja shaped me. I’ll never miss that rally for anything.”
With the world watching, Gawaya remains grounded. “I’m doing this not just for me, but for every Ugandan kid who dreams big. Motorsport in Uganda has the talent – we just need platforms and support.” His historic WRC entry is more than personal achievement; it’s a beacon for a new generation of African racers.
As the engines roar and the dust rises in Kenya, Rwanda, and back home in Jinja, Stinger’s journey from the streets of Jinja to the world’s rally elite continues to inspire; his dream car is Toyota, one of those WRC beasts.
Lastly people should enjoy their passions, and everybody’s dreams is valid as long as you keep following it, the sky is the limit, the dreams are achievable. Motorsport is adventure as every time there is something new.
