The long wait came to the end, as the 2025 Shell V-Power Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally (POAUR) was officially launched yesterday.
The event launch sparked fireworks as previous national champions vowed to show why they won the championships and why they really deserve to be called so.
The 2006, 2009 and 2014 champion, Ronald Ssebuguzi alongside fellow champions Nasser Mutebi (2010), Byron Rugomoka (2022) and Duncan Mubiru aka Kikankane (2020-21), all blessed the launch.
“I have done all the Pearl Rallies since the year I joined the sport but unfortunately haven’t won any but hopefully I win it this time round,” Ssebuguzi said.
For Kikankane, winning the Pearl Rally will also be his target because he feels cheated being without any POAUR win.
“As a champion I wish and will fight to win it in Mbarara. I won the championship and now left with Pearl Rally. This year, here I come,” Kikankane says.
The 2010 NRC champion, Nasser Mutebi also joined fellow champions in promising fireworks come the event dates.
“It’s a little bit different from me in this year’s Pearl Rally. You won’t see the usual Nasser Mutebi, am here to impress and win,” roared Mutebi.
Other champions to compete in this event include; Ponsiano Lwakataka, Super Lady Suzan Muwonge, Yasin Nasser, Kenya’s Jasmeet Chana, Uganda’s 2WD multiple champion, Ibrahim Lubega Pasuwa, 2024 CRC Champion, Musa Ssegaabwe, two times African Rally Champion, Karan Patel among others.
For the first time since its inauguration in 1997 when it ran as a candidate event for the African Rally Championship (ARC) and won by Chipper Adams, co-driven by Justin Beyendeza in a Toyota Supra, the Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally will be hosted in Ankole region.
The POAUR round will count towards the FIA African Rally Championship and four (4) other category championships including; the ARC Junior Drivers. Local crews will also vie for the National rally championship, 2WD, Clubman and the three division titles.
