Pearl of Africa Rally Returns with Competitive Continental Field
By Mwambazi Lawrence
Uganda is once again set to take center stage on the continental motorsport calendar as it hosts Round 2 of the African Rally Championship (ARC), an event that also doubles as the second round of the KCB National Rally Championship. Scheduled to run from 7th to 9th May, the Shell V-Power Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally will be held across the sweeping and technical stages of Mbarara and Kiruhura, promising a thrilling spectacle for rally fans.
This year’s edition is already shaping up to be more competitive than the previous one, with a significant number of international crews confirming their participation early meaning the entry list is getting longer than a rally driver’s explanation after overshooting a corner. Entries from Kenya, Rwanda, and Tanzania continue to build up, and officials expect even more crews before the close of entries, setting the stage for a proper East African showdown where everyone arrives confident… until the first stage reminds them who is boss. As the list grows, so does the pressure in service parks mechanics are tightening bolts like their lives depend on it, drivers are suddenly extra focused, and co-drivers are rehearsing their calm-but-serious voices for those “LEFT 3 DON’T CUT!” moments; by the time entries close, expect a fiercely contested event, a lot of dust, and a few drivers quietly praying their rivals develop “just small small problems” somewhere deep in the stages
From Kenya, several high-profile crews have already hinted at participation, and you can already imagine the confidence levels rising higher than the rev limiters. Defending champions Karan Patel and co-driver Tauseef Khan are set to return in their Škoda Fabia R5 with the aim of defending their title and probably reminding everyone that they know these stages a little too well. Samman Vohra, alongside Drew Sturrock, will also be back looking to redeem themselves after last year’s heartbreaking final-day nose dive, a moment that proved rallying can switch from celebration mode to “pack up and go home” in seconds. Former Kenyan champions Jasmeet Chana and co-driver Ravi Chana will be making their first appearance in Uganda in a Ford Fiesta R5, and like all first-timers, they’ll arrive excited, confident… and then quickly discover that Ugandan stages have a special way of saying “welcome” with dust, bumps, and a few surprises that don’t appear in the pace notes.
Also returning is handicapped driver Nikhil Sachania, who impressed many during last year’s edition and will once again compete in a Ford Fiesta proving that in rallying, determination matters more than excuses. Another Kenyan crew making their debut appearance in Uganda is that of Evans Kavisi and Absolom Aswani, who will compete in the ARC2 category in a Mitsubishi Evo X, a car that locals know very well as” ekisodde”. Arkif Virani, fresh from a strong showing at the recently concluded WRC Safari Rally, has confirmed he will continue his ARC campaign in Uganda driving a Škoda Fabia R5
Further strengthening the Kenyan lineup is Joseph Gacheche, partnered by Finnish co-driver Sofia Rantasalo, who are set to debut their Škoda Fabia R5 in Uganda finally getting their car after it missed the WRC Safari Rally, proving once again that in rallying, sometimes the car travels slower than the team’s excitement. Tinashe Gatimu and her mother Caroline Gatimu will also be part of the Kenyan contingent, bringing a unique mother-daughter dynamic to the competition because nothing says “family bonding” like arguing over pace notes while hurtling at 150 km/h over gravel. And of course, more Kenyan crews are expected to join the fray, meaning the service park might soon feel like a mini United Nations meeting… with engines, spanners, and just a touch of chaos thrown in for good measure.
From Tanzania, reigning national champion Ahmed Huwel is set to make the trip to Uganda in his Toyota GR Yaris as he looks to kickstart his African Rally Championship campaign with a strong performance.
Rwanda will also field a strong team, with a total of six crews expected to participate, and they’re bringing enough speed and skill to make the Ugandan dust sweat. Leading the charge are reigning Rwandan champions Queen Kalimpinya and co-driver Olivier Ngabo in their freshly acquired Subaru Impreza GVB ready to show that new car smell can also mean “ready to eat corners for breakfast.” Christian Kanangire and co-driver Kevin Mujiji, who were the best-placed Rwandan crew at the WRC Safari Rally, will also be in action in a Subaru N12B, aiming to maintain their impressive form though they might discover that Ugandan stages are like that one uncle at a wedding: unpredictable, a little wild, and capable of throwing you off your rhythm just when you think you’ve got it under control.
Other Rwandan crews include Eric Gakwaya, co-driven by Kayibanda Aurore in a Subaru Impreza GVB, and Yoto Fabrice, who will tackle the stages in a Subaru Impreza N11 both ready to remind Ugandan drivers that dust doesn’t care about home advantage. With such a strong regional lineup, local crews are expected to face fierce competition, lots of flying gravel, and the occasional “oops, that corner was tighter than my mother-in-law’s expectations
In terms of route layout, this year’s rally will largely follow last year’s structure, with only a few new sections introduced. The total rally distance will be 569.16 kilometers, comprising 201.85 kilometers of competitive stages spread across 12 stages, and 367.31 kilometers of liaison sections.
The rally will begin on Thursday with a free practice stage followed by a qualifying stage to determine the starting order. Day 2 will feature two long stages and a super special stage, while the final day will consist of eight long and demanding stages. The longest stage of the rally will be the 23.46-kilometer Kaguta stage, while the shortest will be the 6.19-kilometer Robert Rukaari stage, which will also serve as the Power Stage where crucial bonus points will be awarded.
With a strong international entry, competitive route, and high stakes in both the ARC and national championship standings, the 2026 Shell V-Power Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally is shaping up to be one of the most exciting editions in recent years.
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