FORMER national champion Ronald Ssebuguzi in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 9 will be flagged off first in the Mbarara Rally due this weekend.

The event clerk of course David Nsobya explained that Ssebuguzi will take off five positions ahead of reigning national champion Jas Mangat because the start-order was based on performance in the last month's Premier Sprint at Lubiri .

The 23-year-old Shafiq Ssemujju (Subaru N11) will hit the road second while veteran Wycliff Bukenya (Mitsubishi Evo9), John Consta (Subaru N8) and Ponsiano Lwakataka (Subaru N8) will be third, fourth and fifth respectively.

Mangat in a Subaru N12 will take off sixth which is relatively safe from menacing traffic in the competitive sections.

Air Uganda sponsored Mangat who was in Kenya for the KCB Kajiado Rally did not compete in the Premier sprint.

Duncan Mubiru (Subaru N14), veteran Christakis Fitidis (Subaru N12), Edson Munghereza (Subaru N4) and NASH/ MOGAS Rally Team's Nasser Mutebi will be seventh, eighth, ninth and 10th on road respectively. Scrutineering of cars will be conducted on Friday in Masaka at Shell Buddu service station.

The race organized by Mbarara Motor Club will start with a super special stage at Pine Ridge racing circuit in Masaka on Saturday.

After two runs at the super special stage cars will enter Malongo Service Park and then head for the 39-km Katovu-Lyantonde section. They will then connect to Lake View Hotel in Mbarara for a night stop.

On Sunday competitors will cover seven competitive sections including a 1.5km spectator stage near Mbarara town which will be covered thrice.

Provisional order of start:

1. Ronald Ssebuguzi

2. Shafiq Ssemujju

3. Wycliff Bukenya

4. John Consta

5. Ponsiamo Lwakataka

6. Jas Mangat

7. Duncan Mubiru

8. Christakis Fitidis

9. Edison Munghereza

10. Nathan Mutebi