The 2025 Shell V-Power Pearl of Africa Uganda rally gets under way today with 46 drivers who passed scrutineering starting with the 4.62km qualifying stage in the morning before doing two other 7.54km stages of shakedown at Mwesigwa Resort in Mbarara.
The three-day event will be covering a total distance of 486.26 km across 11 competitive sections in Mbarara region, the first time it’s hosted here since 1997 when it started to be in Uganda.
As the second round of the African Rally Championship (ARC) and third round of the National Rally Championship (NRC), the Pearl Rally is a crucial test for drivers. Kenyan Karan Patel being the defending champion, all odds are on him to cruise his Skoda Fabia to victory.
Karan is accompanied by fellow Kenyan; a Pearl Rally newcomer Samman Vohra who is spiting fire and vowing to show a good performance on his event debut. But with Jas Mangat’s absence, Uganda’s best performer in recent Pearl Rallies, which Ugandan driver is ready to make Kenyans uncomfortable and step up to the challenge?
Ronald Ssebuguzi; He’s a three times National Rally Champion but has never won the Pearl Rally but he is in one of the powerful cars on the Ugandan soil. He holds a vast of experience for over two decades in the sport. He’s second on this year’s NRC championship with 30 points. Earlier this year, he earned a second-place finish in Mbarara during the first round of NRC.
Ponsiano Lwakataka; He boasts as the last “black-skinned” Ugandan to have won the event back in 2011. He’s a two-time National Rally Champion a leads this year’s championship. He’s car seems to be the weakest among those eyeing for victory but the braveness tends to push it past the flying finish. Lwakataka won the Mbarara Rally earlier this year thus hope for taming Karan. He also holds enough experience to handle pressure.
Yasin Nasser; A two times Ugandan champion driving a powerful Ford Fiesta Rally2 car. He has ever won in Mbarara, ever competed alongside Karan (recently on past two years ARC). In Mangat’s absence, he looks more fit to defend the Ugandan backline as to stop Karan from winning.
Duncan Mubiru; Just acquired a Shell Helix sponsorship boosting his confidence. He has the skill, speed and talent. Most importantly he has the right size (small) to cruise the car fast to flying finish. He won the 2020/21 national championship. His Ford Fiesta Proto has just returned from Lativia where it was revamped to the best competition levels.
Other drivers ready fight for Ugandan flag include; Nasser Mutebi, Micheal Mukula Jnr, Suzan Muwonge ‘Super Lady’, Musa Ssegaabwe, Dr. Moustapha Mukasa among others.
