Mbarara set to host Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally

Motorsport enthusiasts in Mbarara have reason to celebrate as the Federation of Motorsport Clubs of Uganda (FMU) has confirmed the western Uganda city as the host of this year’s highly anticipated Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally.

According to FMU’s final 2025 calendar released this week, Mbarara city will, for the first time, host the prestigious event from May 9-11.

“Yes, unless something else happens, but Mbarara are the hosts of the Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally. We are currently trying to engage the government to provide financial assistance to cater for pressing demands like evacuation service and others,” said FMU General Secretary Reynold Kibira.

Mbarara was already a strong contender for the hosting rights, as revealed by event host Mwesigwa Rukaari during the recently concluded Mbarara Rally—the FMU 2025 calendar opener.

At the rally’s awards ceremony, veteran rally driver Moses Lumala, whose event was named Lumala@60andmum@90 in honour of his family’s contribution to the sport, suggested naming one of the rally sections Muhangi in tribute to Charles Muhangi (RIP).

Muhangi, a Ugandan motorsport legend, won the African Rally Championship (ARC) in 1999 and the Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally in 1998.

Hosting the rally is a major milestone for Mbarara, as financial constraints have previously kept the city from securing the event.

However, President Museveni’s brother, Michael Nuwagira Kaguta, commonly known as Toyota, expressed confidence in government support.

“We shall ask the government to come in and give a hand because I well know the event needs a chopper before it is held, so we shall request government either to provide money to hire it or provide the chopper itself, because it is very expensive for individuals to do this,” Kaguta stated.

A helicopter is a critical safety asset in rallying, flying ahead of competing cars to identify hazards such as animals, road obstacles, or other vehicles. It provides crucial real-time information to drivers, ensuring safe navigation, especially in remote and rugged terrains.

Beyond the Mbarara Rally, FMU’s calendar outlines a series of National Rally Championship (NRC) events. The Southern Motor Club will organise the next round in Masaka from April 4-6, followed by the ARC event in May.

The fourth NRC event will be hosted by the Eastern Motor Club in Jinja from July 4-6, followed by Uganda Motor Club’s rally in Fort Portal from August 22-24.

The Central Motor Club will then stage its event from October 9-12, with the season’s final rally scheduled for November 20-23 at a venue yet to be confirmed.