Ugandan 'Super Lady' racing to victory in a 'man's world'

By BY DOUGLAS MAZUNE for New Vision

One would wonder where Ugandan champion Susan 'Super Lady' Muwonge derives her confidence but she is convinced the Shell Pearl of Africa Rally will be easy to win this year.

With Muwonge opting to maintain a standard engine in her Subaru N10, the daring woman who has successfully ventured in a man's world, appears to count on self-belief and caution.

Asked why she rated herself highly in the face of an anticipated stiff competition from defending champion Ponsiano Lwakataka (Subaru N8), national championship leader Duncan Mubiru (Subaru N14), Jas Mangat (Subaru N12), Ronald Ssebuguzi (Mitsubishi Evo9) and Africa championship leader Mohammed Essa (Subaru N12), she retorted, "That's the very reason I think it will be easy for me to win."

Kobil-sponsored Muwonge who declined to fit in a new engine from South Africa counts on her favourable record in the event where she has completed four of five races since 2006. She has always finished in the top five. "People have always succumbed to pressure in the Pearl rally and I know when and how to attack in this race. I have got a feeling I will win and I have got to go for nothing short of victory. Lwakataka is a great driver but his car always lets him down. Duncan has matured but this is a three-day race," Muwonge told New Vision.

The event that has attracted 32 crews from Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda and Zambia will start with a super special stage at Lubiri on Friday. On Saturday and Sunday the first and second legs in Luwero will be concentrated in the area of Busiika and Zirobwe.