Foreign Drivers That left Ugandan Fans Wanting More.
By Mwambazi Lawrence
Uganda’s motorsport scene has witnessed several foreign rally drivers who not only thrilled local fans but also left a lasting impression. From the roaring engines to breathtaking skills these drivers turned heads, raised dust, and occasionally, raised eyebrows. Their names became household gossip, as fans tried to figure out how they flew through the stages while some of our locals were still trying to figure out which gear they were in. Let’s dive into the stories of these rally daredevils who left Ugandan fans asking, “Did that just happen?” or “Did we just witness a magic trick?”
Manvir Baryan (Kenya)
Manvir Baryan, the 2017, 2018, and 2019 African Rally Champion, turned Ugandan rallying into an unforgettable spectacle. When he first roared into Uganda in 2017, fans were treated to the debut of the R5 in all its glory courtesy of Manvir’s dazzling Skoda R5. With his catchy slogan, “MRT we go places, we win races,” Manvir didn’t just talk the talk; he left competitors eating his dust and fans cheering like they’d just seen a magician pull a rabbit out of a turbocharger. Unfortunately, a dramatic roll during the 2019 KCB Meru Rally cut his career short, leaving Ugandan fans to wonder how far he would have reached.
Manvir Baryan made Kenya proud winning back to back ARC championships
Mohammed Essa (Zambia)
Zambian ace Mohammed Essa didn’t just make his mark on Uganda’s rally scene in 2012 he practically stamped his name on it with a turbocharged exclamation point. Behind the wheel of a Subaru Impreza N12, now owned by Uganda’s own Susan Muwonge, Essa tore through the Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally like he was late for a family meeting. At the Lubiri race track, he had tens of thousands of fans wide-eyed, jaws dropped, and wondering if they were witnessing some kind of Subaru sorcery. When he snatched the win in the super special stage and later won the rally, he didn’t just become a fan favorite; he became a rally legend. Years later, Ugandan rally enthusiasts still whisper his name, probably while arguing over which one of them had the best view when Essa made their local drivers look like they were out for a Sunday drive.
Essa came to Uganda from Zambia at a young age and won the pearl rally 2012 in a Subaru N12B which he later sold to Susan Muwonge.
Jaspreet Chatthe (Kenya)
The Kenyan speedster Jaspreet Chatthe didn’t just storm Uganda’s rally circuits he practically launched a full-scale invasion. In 2015, he delivered a performance at the Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally 2015 in Mubende that was so dazzling, it made even 2nd placed local star Desh Kananura look like he was driving in reverse. Beating Desh by an astonishing 11 minutes, Chatthe showed up, showed off, and left fans with their mouths hanging open. That same year, he scooped up the Kenya National Rally Championship, proving he wasn’t just a flash in the pan but rather a full-on fireworks display. Despite his talent being as undeniable as a full moon on a clear night, Chatthe hung up his helmet in 2018 after finishing 5th in the Multiple Hauliers Guru Nanak Rally. Fans are left to wonder if he had upgraded to an R5, he might have left the rest of the field wondering if they were even in the same race.
Chatthe was a speed demon from Kenya whose driving won him favour among the Ugandan fans
Garry Chynes (Ivory Coast)
Garry Chynes from Ivory Coast made such an impression in Uganda during the 2014 Shell V-Power Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally that he practically became a legend overnight. His bright yellow Mitsubishi Evo X wasn’t just a car; it was a beacon of rallying brilliance that drew crowds like moths to a flame. Chynes’ performance was so spectacular that fans began to wonder if he had secretly installed a jet engine. His victory in the 2014 African Rally Championship only added to his aura of invincibility. Now that he’s got his hands on a Citroen C3, rally enthusiasts are practically holding their breath, hoping he’ll return to the tracks and give them another chance to witness what might just be the most exciting sequel in rallying history. If his previous acts were anything to go by, the next performance could turn the rally circuit into a full-blown blockbuster
Garry Chynes came all the way from Ivory Coast in 2014 and in the same year he won the ARC
James Whyte (Zimbabwe)
Age was just a number for Zimbabwean rally legend James Whyte, and not a very big one at that. Racing in his trusty Subaru Impreza N10, Whyte proved that while he might have needed reading glasses for the road signs, he didn’t need any help navigating the competition. As a two-time winner of the Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally and a podium finisher in 2009, his driving was so fearless that locals began to wonder if he had a secret youth mixture stashed somewhere in his car. His skills earned him a spot in Ugandan hearts, and he became the rallying equivalent of a vintage wine only getting better with age. Whyte retired in 2013 after the Zambia International Rally, leaving fans to reminisce and chuckle about the time when a man who could’ve been their grandfather outpaced drivers half his age.
Zimbabwe’s James Whyte in Blue has been to Uganda 4 times and won 2 events while driving a subaru N10.
Peter Horsey (Kenya)
Peter Horsey brought the innovative and crowd-pleasing Moto Moto pickup car to Uganda in 2013, proving that good things come in small, turbocharged packages. Despite being a tiny modified Datsun 1200, the Moto Moto was like a pocket rocket with an Evo 9 engine, delivering a performance so electrifying it had fans wondering if they’d just witnessed a magic trick. The car zipped through the Pearl of Africa Rally with such agility and speed that it had spectators asking if Horsey had somehow installed a jet engine. Finishing 4th, he became a fan favorite and a legend of sorts, albeit one who vanished as mysteriously as he arrived. Horsey retired early in 2014, leaving rally fans to speculate whether Moto Moto had been abducted by aliens or if it was just enjoying a quiet retirement, somewhere in the garage of a very confused mechanic.
The moto moto was a joy to watch during its visit to Uganda
Leroy Gomes (Zambia)
Zambian driver Leroy Gomes, behind the wheel of his Ford R5, was a sight to behold .His epic showdowns with Karan Patel were so intense that spectators felt like they were watching an action film with the volume cranked up to eleven. Gomes’s skills had Ugandan fans on the edge of their seats, eagerly hoping for a sequel to his high-octane saga. As they wait for his next appearance, they’re probably stocking up on popcorn and preparing for another adrenaline-packed performance
The power couple from Zambia have been to uganda 2times and have always left the fans wanting more
Karan Patel (Kenya)
The reigning African Rally Champion, Karan Patel, is not just a formidable driver he’s practically a rallying superhero. From his days in the Ford Fiesta R5 to his current Skoda Fabia R5, Patel has been delivering performances so stellar that even the stars in the night sky seem to be taking notes. His latest triumph at the 2024 Shell V-Power Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally, where he outdueled Jas Mangat, was so impressive that it could have been the climax of an epic action movie. Ugandan fans are now eagerly awaiting his next appearance, and you can bet they’re hoping for another show-stopping performance.
The kenyan crew of Karan Patel and Tauseef Khan have done it all to capture the hearts of the local fans.
Jean Yves Ranarivelo (Madagasca)
Madagascar’s Jean Yves Ranarivelo made a brief but unforgettable splash in Uganda during the 2013 KCB Pearl of Africa Rally. Driving a Subaru Impreza N12, he covered a mere 1.2 kilometers on the Lubiri track before rolling in a tight corner. It was as if he was auditioning for a role in a stunt movie and decided to go all out in the first scene. Despite his performance being shorter than a TikTok video, it was thrilling enough to leave fans on the edge of their seats, eagerly waiting for his next appearance. Ranarivelo might not have stayed on the track long, but his brief visit had Ugandan rally enthusiasts convinced he was one of the best.
Madagasca’s speed merchat Jean Yves Ranarivelo rolled in the superspecial during the Superspecial in Lubiri.
Rajbir Rai (Kenya)
Kenya’s young rally sensation Rajbir Rai made an unforgettable entrance into the Ugandan motorsport scene during his one and only appearance at the 2014 Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally. Behind the wheel of a Mitsubishi Evo X, Rai took on some of the continent’s fastest and fiercest competitors as if he were playing a high stakes game of “Beat the Best.” In a jaw-dropping turn of events, the young star zipped past the favorites, leaving them in his dust and fans with their jaws on the floor. His skillful handling of the Evo X was so impressive that it was like watching a maestro conduct an orchestra of speed. Ugandan fans, still buzzing from the thrill, are left wondering if Rai will ever grace their tracks again, or if he’s just out there somewhere, perfecting his next high-speed magic trick..
Kenyas Rajbir Rai won the Shell vpower pearl of Africa rally 2014 in a mitsubishi Evox
Giancarlo Davite (Rwanda)
The “Speed Merchant” from Rwanda, always brought a thrill to Ugandan rally fans with his unmistakable Subaru Impreza N11, fondly dubbed the “Yellow Omulete.” While victory in Uganda may have skillfully dodged him like a boda-boda weaving through Kampala traffic, Davite’s performances were far from forgettable. His roaring engine and near misses with the podium kept the fans on their feet, often wondering if this would finally be his golden moment. His last appearance on Ugandan soil during the 2022 Shell V-Power Pearl of Africa Rally saw him finish 3rd overall close, but no cigar, as his pursuit for victory continues. Let’s just say, he’s Uganda’s favorite almost-winner, always leaving the crowd wanting more of the Yellow Omulete magic.
These drivers, with their skill, speed, and charisma, not only challenged local rally talent but also ignited a passion for motorsport among Ugandan fans. Whether through triumph or tragedy, their stories continue to inspire the rallying community, leaving everyone eagerly awaiting their next move or reminiscing on the legacy they left behind.
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