‘Super Lady’ Muwonge thrills on international debut in Rwanda

Susan “Super Lady” Muwonge could hardly have asked for a more memorable start to her international rally career.

On July 13, the two-time Uganda National Rally (NRC) champion returned from the 2026 Rwanda Mountain Gorilla Rally with a podium finish, widespread admiration from Rwandan fans and renewed confidence that she belongs on the continental stage.

Making her first competitive appearance outside Uganda, Muwonge lived up to her “Speed Queen” reputation by finishing as the Best Woman Driver, second in the ARC2 category and ninth overall in the African Rally Championship (ARC) standings.

It was a performance that underlined both her driving ability and determination despite suffering an early setback that cost her a shot at an even higher finish. Navigated by experienced Ugandan navigator Musa Nsubuga, Muwonge opened the Kigali event in impressive fashion, ending the first day among the top five overall and looking capable of challenging the front runners.

Her momentum was interrupted on the morning run of the William Louw stage, named after the late FIA Africa Safety Delegate, when a puncture forced the crew to lose valuable time. The delay dropped them four places down the standings, but they fought back to secure an ARC2 podium and a top-10 overall finish. For Muwonge, however, the biggest victory extended beyond the results sheet.

“I felt great finishing on the podium. You can’t imagine—my name as ‘Super Lady’ went ahead of me. I was surprised to have such a big fan base in Rwanda supporting me with cheers,” she said after the rally.

The reception she received from spectators left a lasting impression, reinforcing her ambition to become a role model for women aspiring to compete in motorsport. She disclosed that her performance has already attracted invitations from Rwanda.

More importantly, Muwonge believes the experience has accelerated her development as a driver.

“This is my first time driving outside Uganda. The experience will help me grow as a driver,” she said.

Although missing the opening two ARC rounds in Kenya and Uganda means she is no longer in contention for the 2026 ARC2 championship, Muwonge views the continental campaign as an investment in her future.

Her focus now shifts to the final championship round in Tanzania from October 2-4, where she hopes to build on the confidence gained in Kigali and further establish herself among Africa’s leading female rally drivers.

Uganda’s presence in Rwanda was equally impressive elsewhere. The KCB-sponsored crew of Oscar Ntambi and Pius Luggya also secured second place in ARC2 while finishing eighth overall. In the two- wheel drive category, Odeon Niwagaba finishing second and Ibrahim Lubega taking third behind Kenya’s Hinga Michuki.

Kenya’s Karan Patel continued his remarkable season by winning the Mountain Gorilla Rally to make it three victories from three ARC rounds. For Muwonge, though, Kigali will be remembered as the rally that announced “Super Lady” to the African stage—not just as Uganda’s Speed Queen, but as a driver capable of inspiring a new generation of women to chase their own motorsport dreams.

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