Steven Byaruhanga sat side-by-side with Charles Muhangi for much of 1999. Why 1999? That was a year the two were crowned African Rally Champions.
Happy moments before that; but even happier moments after that.
Twenty one years later, Muhangi is gone. Gone to a better place.
For Byaruhanga, a friend; perhaps somebody more than a friend is gone.
Muhangi was found dead at his home last Thursday. He was buried at his ancestral home in Bushenyi district.
He died at the age of 59 years.
But it is with a profound heart that Byaruhanga now speaks of his friend whom he navigated for.
“Muhangi had so many virtues as a driver. One of them being a very competitive driver. He never wanted anything less than being first.
“He used to hype his competition to the extent of sending out attacking comments to the press challenging his fellow drivers.
“Some drivers thought he was being arrogant, but that was one way of challenging himself. He would verbally attack them but instead setting a pace for himself and he would set the bar high to push his pace,” said Byaruhanga.
Despite his pride in a racing, discipline and respect for others was another of Muhangi’s virtue says Byaruhanga.
“In over the 30 events I did with him, he has never raised his voice, quarreled to me even if there was any mistake. He would listen and respect to all the calls we made which helped us a lot.”
Muhangi was a strong patriot who fronted Uganda during the African rally championship events.
The duo to-date remain the only Uganda crew to win the African title.
“I remember during the FIA awards, the master of ceremony mentioned another country as he called us out to pick the awards. Muhangi was so bothered. He insisted that we look for master of ceremony and correct him that we are from Uganda.
“He did not not settle until it was announced.”
Byaruhanga and Muhangi spent about five years rallying together. But the highlight of their rallying career came twenty-one years ago.
It’s a tale Byaruhanga remembers quite well.
“The idea of African Rally Championship came after we won national title in 1998.
“Charles said there were nothing much to fight for at home. So ARC was the only option.
“We were initially regarded as the underdogs. I remember a South African crew that despised us in Namibia. Muhangi swore to beat that specific crews at all costs. We finished ahead of that crew and they realised we were there to compete.
“After two events of ARC, people started taking us serious on the title chase.”
Muhangi seemingly never ever retired form motorsport. Byaruhanga says there a possible return for the man nicknamed “Ekitagururo”.
“A part from his family, Muhangi’s love was motorsport. Up to the day he died, rally was always on his mind.
“He always pushed me into a return. He insisted that his strong and he will return soon. And this year, he really talked about next season.
“I once advised him to go and start playing golf since it can be played for all ages. He refused saying golf is for old people. He wanted rally that much,” added Byaruhanga.
Muhangi last took part in a rally event in 2012. For Byaruhanga, it was much earlier.
But for the man that sat by him, calling the notes and sharing the rally highs and lows; Muhangi will forever remain the patriotic, ambitious, rally fanatic.