The dust from the Safari Rally has barely settled, but the engines are already roaring toward Western Uganda. As the countdown to the 2026 Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally (May 7–10) begins, the stakes have just been raised with a bold declaration of intent from the Mkwawa Rally Team of Tanzania.
In a move that signals a serious continental title bid, the 2025 Tanzanian National Champion, Ahmed Huwel, has confirmed his presence for the Ugandan leg of the FIA African Rally Championship (ARC).
Representing the team, Walid Nahdi issued a passionate call to arms this week, standing before a formidable fleet of Serengeti-branded service vehicles and a high-end luxury motorhome.
The message was clear: Tanzania isn’t just coming to participate; they are coming to dominate. “On behalf of Mkwawa Rally Team and Ahmed Huwel, we have prepared very well for the competition coming up in Uganda… Ahmed Huwel is going to represent Tanzania in the Africa Rally Championship, and he needs our support.”
Huwel, navigated by the experienced Rahim Suleiman, is no stranger to the grueling demands of African gravel. After clinching the 2025 NRC title in Tanzania, Huwel is now looking to export that winning form to the pearl of the continent.
Driving the formidable Toyota GR Yaris Rally2, he brings a combination of mechanical reliability and tactical aggression that will test the local heroes on their home turf.
The Ugandan fans—widely considered the most passionate in the ARC circuit—will be waiting. With local defending champion Yasin Nasser looking to reclaim his throne after a challenging Safari Rally, and Kenyan star Karan Patel aiming for a hat-trick of Pearl victories, Mbarara is set to become a battlefield.
The route, spanning over 200km of competitive distance across Mbarara and Kiruhura, offers no room for error.
For Huwel and the Mkwawa team, the mission is simple: disrupt the Ugandan-Kenyan duopoly and take the ARC points back to Iringa.
Walid Nahdi has called on East African fans to mobilize, promising an electric atmosphere in the service parks.
As Round 2 of the ARC, the Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally will be pivotal in shaping the 2026 leaderboard before the championship moves to Rwanda in July.
The Pearl of Africa Rally has always been more than just a race; it is a festival of speed and regional pride. With Tanzania’s finest now officially in the mix, the 2026 edition is shaping up to be an instant classic.
