The heat in the 2025 Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally (POAUR) has increased and the event magnetism has continued attracting various competitors to participate in it.
Hajji Omar Mayanja, the clerk of the course (COC) for the previous event is the latest to be attacked as he confirms participation but this time round not as an official or a driver.
Mayanja, a seasonal rally driver will be in event as a co-driver calling pace notes for 2024 Pearl Rally 12th place finisher, Doctor Mustapha Mukasa. They will be cruising the Equity bank and Drugs Express sponsored Mitsubishi Evo 9.
Speaking to Roramedia, Mayanja said, “It’s true I will be navigating in this year’s Pearl Rally. Dr Moustapha believes having someone with my experience is good for him.”
“We have been talking a lot between rallies, now he wants to have my wise counsel during the rally, every leg, every stage. That’s possible but only if am in the car.”
Mayanja who owns a rally car (Mitsubishi Evo X) once navigated his wife (Leira Blick Mayanja), last navigated Duncan Mubiru ‘Kikankane’ in 2021 WRC Kenya Safari Rally where he came in as a replacement for Musa Nsubuga who had failed a COVID test.
In that event, four Ugandan crews in Ronald Ssebuguzi, Duncan Mubiru, Kepher Walubi and Hassan Alwi did participate.
Mayanja co-driving Kikankane claimed the KNRC class victory with fellow Ugandan crew of Ssebuguzi and Anthony Mugambwa finishing second.
With this experience, Mayanja hopes to help Dr Mukasa get good finishing places in this year’s POAUR.
POAUR will act as the second round of African Rally Championship (ARC) as well as the third Uganda National Rally Championship round. It is a three days event slated for May 8th-11th weekend with 11 sections covering a total distance of 486.26 km of which 298.16 km will be liaison as 188.10 km competitive in areas of Mbarara.
