The anticipation is building up day by day for the third round of the National Rally Championship and what is going to serve as the third round of the African Rally Championship, the return of the Pearl of Africa rally that will be held in Lugazi during Mother’s Day weekend (6-8 May). The organizers of the event wanted a total of forty-five entries and all the slots had been filled, but even as the entries closed, more were still coming in. The clerk of course of this rally, Mr. David Mayanja said in an interview on fufa FM that entries had closed and all forty-five slots were filled but had some other drivers that had applied and hopes they will be considered by FIA, as it is the overseeing body on the event. And they were granted an extra four slots making the total number of competitors forty-nine.
There is a total of ten foreign crews scheduled to compete; Karan Patel co-driven by Tauseef Khan in a Ford Fiesta R5 from Kenya, the crew is hoping for a first place finish in the ARC in this round but we’ll have to wait and see, the current number one lead on the ARC-Leroy Gomes co-driven by Urshlla Gomes in a Ford Fiesta R5 from Zambia, McRae Kimathi co-driven by Kioni Mwangi in a Ford Fiesta R3 from Kenya, Kimathi competed in the WRC Croatia rally in the junior category in the weekend of April 22-24 and came in fifth place, the young driver is ramping up experience competing in the WRC events and is doing a great job representing Kenya. Also, from Kenya are, Jeremy Wahome co-driven by Victor Okundi in a Ford Fiesta R3, the only female driver in the entire event-Maxime Wahome co-driven by Waigwa Murage in a Subaru Impreza N10, and Hamza Anwar co-driven by Din Adnan in a Mitsubishi Lancer EvoX. These youngsters are competing under the FIA/WRC rally star programme. The last of the Kenyan competitors is Nikhil Sachania co-driven by Patel Deep in a Mitsubishi Lancer EvoX competing under the SPV class (Specially Prepared Vehicles). Representing Burundi is Imtiaz Awan Din co-driven by Alain Rukundo in a Subaru Impreza N12. Coming back to the pearl form Rwanda is Giancarlo Davite co-driven by Sylvia Vindevogel in a Mitsubishi Lancer EvoX, Davite last competed in the event back in 2017 where he came in third overall. Giesen Jean Jean co-driven by Kevin Mujiji in a Toyota Celica GT4 are also from Rwanda though won’t be competing in the ARC, they will be competing in the 2WD category.
The remaining thirty-five entries are all filled by Ugandan competitors, and it will be a real treat seeing who will come out on top. Some of the drivers representing team Uganda will be; Yasin Nasser co-driven by Ali Katumba in a Subaru Impreza GVB, the former champion will be scoring in the ARC and the national rally championship as well. Amaanraj Rai co-driven by Panesar Gurdeep in a Skoda Fabia-they will be scoring under the ARC as well. Kaka Junior Mahender Singh co-driven by Kyambadde Sirajih in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X also scoring under the ARC. Fan favorites like Duncan Mubiru navigated by Musa Nsubuga in a Ford Fiesta proto will be seen on the track, Mubiru is competing under group S though, Ponsiano Lwakataka navigated by Paul Musaazi in a Subaru ImprezaN12 looking to defend his number spot on the NRC, Arthur Blick Jr navigated by Alestair Blick in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X, the return of Jas Mangat navigated by Joseph Kamya in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X. Hassan Alwi navigated by Riyaz Ismail in a Subaru Impreza, Andrew Musoke navigated by Aaron Nsamba in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X, and Kepher Walubi navigated by George Semakula in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X. Ibrahim Lubega navigated by Shakirah Nabwami in their Toyota Corolla FX are looking to defend their 2WD class, as well as Oscar Ntambi navigated by Asuman Muhamadi in a Toyota Alteza also in 2WD division. Fred Busuulwa co-driven by Joseph Bongole are also looking to score points advancing them in the standings. The youngsters looking to leave a mark on the event like Mark Lubega navigated by Daniel Mbabazi in a Subaru Impreza and Mike Mukula Jr navigated by Edward Kiyinji also in a Subaru Impreza are drivers to keep on the look out for. The extra four drivers that were added were Gilbert Balondemu, Hajji Abdu Ssempebwa, Umar Dauda, and tripple four’s Abdul Kateete.
KCB Bank came back in and sponsored the event with 70million Uganda shillings, the bank is an avid supporter of sports in East Africa especially motorsport and this was a boost to the event. Land Rover also became an official vehicle partner and will provide the route openers for the event.
