Engines are revving, dust is rising, and western Uganda is set for a motorsport spectacle as the 2026 Shell V-Power Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally runs from May 7–10.
A record 65 crews have entered this year’s event, the highest in the rally’s history, raising anticipation for what is expected to be one of the most competitive editions yet. The rally doubles as the second round of both the FIA African Rally Championship (ARC) and Uganda’s National Rally Championship.
A total of 23 crews are registered to compete for ARC and ARC2 points. Tanzania’s Ahmed Huwel of Mkwawa Rally Team leads the foreign contingent and has already arrived in the country ahead of his maiden appearance in the Pearl of Africa Rally.
Driving a Toyota Yaris Rally2, Huwel is aiming to revive his 2026 ARC title bid after missing the WRC Safari Rally Kenya in March. Standing in his path is Uganda’s Yasin Nasser, the reigning African champion, who will be navigated by Ali Katumba in the Moil Rally Team Ford Fiesta R5, known as “NEMO.”
Nasser heads into the event with confidence and home advantage after clinching the 2025 ARC title by a single point ahead of Kenya’s Samman Vohra.
LUMALA IS BACK
Several local drivers are also expected to mount strong challenges.
Oscar Ntambi, backed by KCB, returns buoyed by a fifth-place finish at the WRC Safari Rally Kenya. Musa Ssegabwe of Segamu 14 Rally Team will debut his new Skoda Fabia N5, one of the notable additions to this year’s field.
Veteran Moses Lumala is back in action with his prototype Ford fitted with a Mitsubishi engine, while Hassan Alwi will compete in a similarly engineered Ford powered by a Mitsubishi Evolution engine.
Fans will also be watching Samon Yart, last year’s ARC runner-up, who remains one of the fastest drivers on the continent. The rally will feature five competitive stages across Mbarara and the greater Ankole region, combining speed with technical challenges.
Among the highlights is the 17.4-kilometre Charles Muhangi Stage, named in honour of the late rally icon. Saturday’s programme includes the demanding 20.01-kilometre Kaguta Stage, expected to test both driver precision and machine reliability.
The Federation of Motorsport Clubs of Uganda (FMU) has assured competitors and fans of a well-organised and safe event.
“We have put in place all the necessary systems to ensure a smooth, safe and well-organised event for competitors, officials, sponsors and fans,” FMU publicist, Frank Serugo, said.
“The level of coordination among all stakeholders has been excellent, and we call upon rally fans from across the country to turn up in large numbers and witness this exciting edition of the Pearl of Africa Rally.”
Pre-event activities, including scrutineering and documentation, will take place at Shell Mbarara, where teams will complete final preparations. With championship points, pride and prestige at stake, the Pearl of Africa Rally is once again set to turn the roads of western Uganda into a theatre of speed, skill and endurance.