Samman Vohra Untouchable on Day 1 of the Shell V-Power Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally 2025
If there was any doubt that rallying could double as a mix of errors and wild animal encounters, day one of the Shell V-Power Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally has erased them all – with burnout, drama, and enough safari spice to qualify as an episode of “National Geographic: Motorsports Edition.”
But first, let’s talk about the man of the moment: Samman Vohra or should we say The Untouchable One. The Kenyan speedster, partnered with Scottish pace-note whisperer Drew Sturrock, was in a league of his own, tearing through 4 out of 5 stages like he had a rocket booster hidden under the hood. Clocking a jaw-dropping 34:43.42, Vohra didn’t just beat the competition; he treated them like background scenery.
Now here’s the plot twist Karan Patel, the reigning African Rally Champion, was expected to dominate. But instead, he found himself looking at Vohra’s tail lights and maybe questioning his life choices. Alongside co-driver Tauseef Khan, Patel could only snatch one stage win and finished the day in second with 35:47.62. Close, but no cigar… just a puff of Vohra’s dust.
Uganda’s very own Yasin Nasser and Ali Katumba weren’t letting the visitors have all the fun though. They tamed their Ford Fiesta R5 into third place with 37:29.49 – solid, clean, and stylish. One can only assume they were saving fuel and jokes for tomorrow’s stages.
Enter Duncan “Kikankane” Mubiru and Joseph Kamya Uganda’s duo in the Ford Fiesta Proto. Let’s just say they were flying without wings, finishing fourth with 38:27.48. If tomorrow includes more jumps and less zebras, expect Duncan to unleash his signature sideways madness.
Speaking of solid performers, Michael Mukula Jr (not to be confused with his equally famous dad) and Siraj Kyambadde are chilling in fifth place with 39:47.87, clearly enjoying the rally like it’s a road trip but with boost.
And now for the heartbreak hotel check-in: Ponsiano Lwakataka, the NRC leader and arguably Uganda’s most entertaining driver, suffered a mechanical betrayal early in stage 2. His engine waved a white flag, and he had to retire. Paul Musazi was probably still figuring out which gear they were in when it happened.
As if that wasn’t enough safari drama, rally queen Susan “Superlady” Muwonge had a surprise encounter in stage 3 and not with a marshal or pothole but with an impala. Yes, a literal one. The front of her Subaru Impreza N12 was left looking like it had kissed wildlife at 100km/h. But in true Superlady fashion, she patched it up with duct tape, zip ties, and possibly hope and still made it to the super special stage.
In the 2WD category, Mansoor Lubega and Ronald Bukenya in their Caltex-sponsored Toyota Corolla are chilling at the top with 45:46.37, probably sipping some goat milk at the finish line while waiting for the others. Edward Kirumira and crew are in second with 47:59.69, and Amir and Kenneth Kavuma in third with 48:44.07, giving it the ol’ Kavuma family push.
But wait, there’s more. The CRC category is delivering like a Netflix drama. With only three stages completed, every stage has had a different winner. Currently, Kevin Bebeto (clearly not named after the Brazilian footballer) and Mwambazi Lawrence are leading by a slim 22 seconds over Walter Kibande and Duncan Katumba. Kiggundu Sentongo and Yusuf Babu are third, possibly still wondering how that last stage got away from them.
Tomorrow promises even more mayhem with eight competitive stages, including the beastly 23.28km Kaguta Stage. Did we mention all these stages run through national parks? That’s right where rally cars may not just face hairpins, but also territorial zebras and impalas seeking revenge.
Fasten your belts, rally fans. Tomorrow could either crown legends… or lions.
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