The son of singer Haruna Mubiru and grandson of veteran rally driver Moses Lumala has begun his competitive motorsport journey, hoping to turn his family’s racing legacy into a career of his own.
Ramathan Mubiru, popularly known as King Rama, has set his sights on becoming Uganda’s number one rally driver after making his competitive buggy debut at the Spirit of Garuga event.
The Senior Two student at Kakungulu Memorial School is the son of celebrated Ugandan singer Haruna Mubiru and the grandson of veteran rally driver Moses Lumala, giving him a connection to both Uganda’s entertainment industry and motorsport.
But while his family background has introduced him to the spotlight, Rama is determined to build his own identity behind the wheel.
“I want to be the number one driver in the coming years,” he says, outlining his ambition to rise through the ranks and establish himself among Uganda’s leading drivers.
His first competitive outing came during the Ponsiano Lwakataka Fundraising Sprint at Victoria Raceway Park in Garuga, where he took to the track in a buggy against more experienced competitors.
Held in September, the event celebrated veteran driver Ponsiano Lwakataka’s 25 years in motorsport. For Rama, it offered an opportunity to move beyond admiration for the sport and begin gaining competitive experience.
At the centre of his ambitions is his grandfather, Lumala, whose experience in rallying has helped inspire the youngster’s journey.
“My grandfather Moses Lumala is someone I admire a lot,” Rama says.
Lumala has been instrumental in nurturing the younger generation of his family in motorsport. Following Rama’s debut, the veteran driver expressed confidence in his grandson’s potential and his desire to help develop him into a future champion.
That family connection gives Rama access to an experienced figure as he begins learning the demands of competitive driving. However, reaching the top will require sustained training, preparation and opportunities to compete against established drivers.
Balancing the Classroom and the Racetrack
Away from motorsport, Rama remains a Senior Two student at Kakungulu Memorial School, where his academic responsibilities run alongside his growing ambitions behind the wheel.
During a visit to the school, NBS Sport spoke to the youngster, his classmates and his teacher about the student pursuing a dream that extends beyond the classroom.
His classmates offered their perspectives on a peer beginning to explore competitive motorsport, while his teacher’s views highlighted the importance of education as he works towards his ambitions.
Balancing both commitments will be an important part of Rama’s development. Competitive motorsport demands discipline, concentration and continuous learning, while his studies remain essential to his broader future.
As he gains experience on the track, maintaining his education will be just as important as developing the skills needed to compete at a higher level.
Despite being at the beginning of his motorsport journey, Rama is already looking to the future with confidence.
His ambition to become Uganda’s Number One driver gives him a clear target, while his admiration for Lumala provides a family role model whose experience he hopes to draw on.
He also has a message for those following his progress.
“I am ready to make you happy,” Rama says, assuring his supporters that he is determined to give them reasons to celebrate as his motorsport journey continues.
For now, his debut at Garuga marks the first step in a potentially long career. With family support, continued learning and a commitment to his education, Rama hopes to turn his early experience into a foundation for greater achievements.
The dream is ambitious, but the young driver has made his intentions clear: he wants to reach the top, make his supporters proud and establish a name of his own in Ugandan motorsport.