The beloved Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally is set to commence this weekend in Lugazi-Jinja from 10-12 May. It will be the very first round on the African Rally Championship (ARC) calendar; two crews will be representing Kenya, 2023 ARC champion Karan Patel and co-driver Tauseef Khan and, Hamza Anwar and co-driver Adnan Din. Anwar competed in the World Rally Championship (WRC) in 2023 and it will be interesting to see how he takes on his first ARC event of the year. Both crews have competed in the POAUR before. Three crews will represent Uganda on the ARC; Jas Mangat and French co-driver Laurent Magat, Moustapha Mukasa and co-driver Lawrence Mwambazi, and Michael Mukula Jr. And co-driver Edward Kiyinji. This rally is also the third round of the National Rally Championship (NRC). The event was officially launched on May 03rd at Kabira Country Club, Bukoto.
KCB Bank unveiled a sponsorship package to the Federation of Motorsport Clubs of Uganda of eighty million Uganda shillings. Oscar Ntambi is also being sponsored by KCB Bank as he was last year. The rally will cover a competitive distance of 209km and will have a qualifying stage and free practice on the 10th and end the day with a shakedown at Bujagaali.
The Clerk of Course (COC) Omar Mayanja insists on the safety of competitors and fans as he told the media that the routes are the same as last year and fans have been provided a spectating area where they can stay and not have to move from place to place; he said that increasing on safety is the most important thing to keep the Pearl rally on the ARC. All drivers always look forward to taking part in the rally as shown on the entry list numbers.
With a new elected cabinet in place, Jimmy Akena, the new FMU president says they are ready for the event and look forward to having a wonderful event.
Entry List (ARC):
- Jas Mangat/Laurent Magat-Uganda/France-Hyundai i20
- Karan Patel/Tauseef Khan-Kenya-Skoda Fabia
- Hamza Anwar/Adnan Din-Kenya-Ford Fiesta
- Moustapha Mukasa/Lawrence Mwambazi-Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX
- Michael Mukula Jr./Edward Kiyinji-Subaru Impreza
Entry List (NRC):
- Musa Ssegaabwe/Mathias Kiyegga-Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX-CRC
- Niwagaba Tumwebaze/Charles Lubowa-Toyota Altezza-CRC
- Haruna Kataza/Urban Mulindwa-Subaru Impreza-CRC
- Ahmed Ssenyonjo/Sharif Muyanja-Toyota Corolla-CRC
- Faisal Kayiira/Isaac Lumu-Subaru Impreza-Division 1
- Rashid Makumbi/Henry Kibalama-Subaru Impreza-Division 1
- Oscar Ntambi/Asuman Muhammad-Subaru Impreza-Division 1
- Moustapha Mukasa/Lawrence Mwambazi-Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX-Division 1
- Abasi Mayinja/Geofrey Serwoga-Subaru Impreza-Division 1
- Jon Consta Karumuna/Aaron Nsamba-Ford Fiesta-Division 1
- Michael Mukula Jr./Edward Kiyinji-Subaru Impreza-Division 1
- Kuku Ranjit Singh/Sirajih Tweranire Kyambadde-Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX-Div 1
- Jonas Kansiime/Ronald Bukenya-Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII-Division 1
- Isaac Ssozi/Monica Birwinyo-Subaru Impreza-Division 2
- Didas Matsiko/Alfred Mutanda-Subaru Impreza-Division 2
- Unisan Bakunda/Hussein Mukuye-Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX-Division 2
- Japheth Lugayizi/Alim Nsubuga-Toyota Celica-Division 2
- Joshua Muwanguzi/Hamza Lwanga-Subaru Impreza-Division 2
- Francis Omoo/James Emaru-Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IV-Division 2
- Abas Sebunya/Shameer Yusuf Pyarali-Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X-Division 2
- Edward Kirumira/Shakira Nabwami-Toyota Corona-Division 2/2WD
- Amiri Kavuma/Doreen Nabira-Subaru Impreza-Division 2/2WD
- Godfrey Nsereko/John Bosco Musisi-Toyota Run X-Division 2/2WD
- Salim Waiswa Gasemba/Emmanuel Mugulusi-Toyota Vitz-Division 2/2WD
- Anwar Sadat Negomba/Zubedah Abdallah-Toyota Corolla-Division 2/2WD
- Fred Busulwa Kitaka/Mildred Kibuuka-Subaru Impreza-Premier Division
- Muhammad Bwete/Yusuf Babu Jr.-Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX-Premier Division
- Hassan Alwi/Musa Nsubuga-Subaru Impreza-Premier Division
- Jas Mangat/Laurent Magat-Hyundai i20-Premier Division
- Nasser Mutebi/Steven Bunya-Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX-Premier Division
- Ronald Ssebuguzi/Anthony Mugambwa-Ford Fiesta Proto-Premier Division
- Ponsiano Lwakataka/Samuel Mugisha-Subaru Impreza-Premier Division
- Peter Kalule/David Mwesigwa-Subaru Impreza-Premier Division
- Samuel Watendwa/Alvin Luyimbazi-Toyota FX-Premier Division/2WD
- Ibrahim Lubega/Mustapha Kanakulya-Toyota Corolla FX-Premier Division/2WD
