What to Expect as the Rwanda Mt Gorilla Rally Roars Into Town!
By Mwambazi Lawrence
The hills of Bugesera are about to wake up not from an earthquake, but from the thunder of engines, the scent of burnt rubber, and the unmistakable sound of co-drivers yelling, “LEFT THREE! NO! OTHER LEFT!” Welcome to the 2025 Rwanda Mountain Gorilla Rally, where the stakes are high, the tempers are higher, and the dust has no mercy.
This isn’t just another round on the African Rally Championship (ARC) calendar. No, sir. This is the midpoint the point of no return. By the end of this weekend, someone might need therapy, a new gearbox, or both.
Leading the charge is Uganda’s finest, Yasin Nasser, alongside his co-driver Ali Katumba, who are sitting pretty at the top of the ARC standings with 63 points. After a gritty third-place finish in the WRC Safari Rally, and another solid 3rd place result on home soil in Uganda, the Moil Rally Team are flying but not without turbulence.
Let’s not forget, they got a little lucky. Karan Patel, the reigning African Champion, had a forgettable Safari outing when he got stuck in the fesh- fesh ,Carl Tundo and Jeremiah Wahome, who beat Yasin in Kenya, didn’t show up in Uganda. So now, Yasin is king of the jungle but the lions are coming.
Karan patel negotiates a muddy part of the Super special stage during the Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally 2025 ( Photo credit Innocent Mutaawe)
Reigning African Champion Karan Patel is currently sitting in 6th place, which is basically an insult in motorsport. When asked how he feels, he reportedly muttered, “Ndabikora uko byagenda kose” (I will do whatever it takes). After taking victory in Uganda, they’ve proven they still bite hard. And now, it’s time to climb back. But standing in his way is none other than the fast-rising and fearless Samman Vohra, who has already collected 36 points this season. That’s one more than Karan. And if you think that’s not personal ask any rally driver how it feels to be behind the new kid on the block. “Ntabwo nzasigara inyuma y’uwo mwana,” Karan might say (I won’t stay behind that boy).
Kenya’s Samman Vohra on Maximum attack during the Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally 2025 ( Photo credit Innocent Mutaawe)
Their last battle in Uganda was so intense that spectators had to watch through their fingers. Now, in Bugesera, expect a rematch same energy, more dust.
ARC Standings After Round 2
1.Yasin Nasser (Ug) 63points
2.Carl Tundo (Ken) 50points
=Nikhil Sachania (Ken) 50points
4.Jeremiah Wahome (ken) 42points
5.Samman Vohra (Ken) 36points
6.Karan Patel (Ken) 35points
If you think ARC2 is just a sideshow think again. Michael Mukula Jr. has zero points so far, which is about as comfortable as sitting on a cactus. Meanwhile, Nikhil Sachania is coming off a clean run in Uganda where he basically drove like he was late for a wedding. Now, the two face off in Bugesera both experienced on Rwandan roads, neither willing to let the other leave with bragging rights.
One fan summarized it best:
“Aba bagabo ni nka inka ebyiri zipfa urwuri.”
(These men are like two bulls fighting over a pasture.)
Let’s switch gears to the local scene. Rwanda’s defending champion Kanangire Christian is in no mood to play games. But guess what? Giancarlo Davite isn’t here to clap politely, either.
This is more than a rally rivalry. This is Subaru vs Evo X, beard vs bald head, who-has-the-bigger-spoiler energy. There’s pride, power, and probably some hidden beef from a bar in Kigali. One thing is for sure: whoever loses this one will need a serious excuse.
Now this is where the rally gets spicy.
It’s Kalimpinya Queen, Rwanda’s motorsport sweetheart, going head-to-head with the Gatimuladies a mother-daughter team from Kenya driving the classic GC8 Subarus.
Rwanda’s female sansation Queen Kalimpinya ready to take on the Rwanda Mt Gorilla 2025
It’s not just women empowerment it’s women embattled. One fan was overheard saying, “Aba bakobwa si abakobwa, ni imirabyo” (These girls aren’t girls, they’re lightning). Expect sideways action, fearless overtakes, and a battle that could shake Bugesera’s hills.
Just in case Rwanda’s own crews didn’t bring enough spice, a convoy of Ugandan hotheads is crossing the border to make sure everyone suffers:
Joshua Muwanguzi, aka Mr. Purple Subaru, will be cruising his N12 like it’s powered by revenge. Isaac Sozzi, another Ugandan rebel, is bringing his N12 into battle too.
These two have been bickering in Uganda all season and now they’ve decided to export their feud.so Let’s just say, “Rwanda, buckle up!”
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