The very prestigious Pearl of Africa rally is returning this year in the first weekend of May (6-8 May) since 2019; launched by FMU and Vivo Energy Uganda through Shell V-Power on March 14 at Shell Bugolobi. General Katumba Wamala, the minister of Works and Transport was the chief guest.
Fans are ecstatic that its back, but the only thing is the safety concern. This is a really tremendous achievement by the Federation of Motorsport Uganda (FMU), getting a sponsorship of the event to be held in Lugazi, of 250million Uganda shillings for one of the most celebrated rally events in Uganda. The managing director of Vivo Energy Uganda, Globbelaar Johan said at the event that, “We are happy to see the return of the Pearl of Africa rally,,,so the first thing through our product V-Power is to show our commitment towards the event like we have done for the last five years with a sponsorship of 250million.”
The success of this rally is extremely paramount to Uganda as we already have a yellow card from the governing body of international motorsport (FIA) for the previous pearl event due to safety concerns. This is the last one and the country could be hit with a red card and that would be a shame, as this is one of the most watched motorsport events in Uganda and draws a bevy of fans all round. It serves as the third event on the African Rally Championship calendar.
Serving as the Clerk of Course (COC) for the event, David Mayanja told the press and fans present that, “This event is on the last yellow card, FIA told us if we don’t adhere to safety, and don’t prove ourselves, then it will be the last time to see the pearl in Uganda. We urge all the fans out there to be disciplined; and we have decided to work with some of the fans’ groups out there to be on board during organization.” Safety has been the talk on so many radio shows and programs for a long time in regards to rallies; the previous NRC rally in Kaliro did not have its last two stages because of safety concerns, where two crews even suffered accidents and one that is in hospital due to injuries sustained (Edward Kirumira and navigator Robert Katabalwa recovering in hospital currently).
Uganda has some of the best fans for motorsport, both cars and bikes, but safety concerns keep reoccurring when it comes to the rally cars and if the fans don’t adhere to the protocols put in place, this event maybe the last as they hold its future in their hands. There are going to be international crews slated to take part in this event, so everyone is hoping that the fans adhere to the rules put in place.
The Pearl of Africa rally was last held in 2019 due to the outbreak of the covid 19 pandemic and was won that year by the legendary Kenyan driver Manvir Baryan navigated by Drew Sturrock in a Skoda Fabia, he won the event in 2017 as well. Beating the Kenyan dominance, was Hassan Alwi co-driven by Enoch Olinga in a Subaru Impreza STi N14 back in 2016, locking a win for Uganda. The pearl was first held back in 1996, and on its debut, the legendary Karim Hiriji won the event navigated by Frank Nekusa in a Toyota Celica STi 85. It will be a treat seeing the current drivers taking on foreign crews like Duncan Mubiru-now in a Ford Fiesta Proto, and Ponsiano Lwakataka (who has won the pearl before, in 2011), and younger drivers like Mike Mukula Jr. and Mark Lubega’s take on the event.
