By KPC Sports Reporter
The Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally 2026 begins tomorrow, Friday, following a packed Thursday of free practice, qualifying, shakedown, and a ceremonial start at Lake View Resort in Mbarara.
Rally traffic rolls out of the resort in the morning before a 31.71km transport section to Service A at Mwesigwa.
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The opening stage, Charles Muhangi 1, runs 17.94km from 9:40am in tribute to Uganda’s 1999 African Rally Champion.
His record as the country’s only continental winner was broken last year when Yasin Nasser sealed the 2025 ARC crown in Tanzania.
Crews then tackle Kaguta 1 and Ankole Cow 1 before regrouping for midday service, with the short Rukaari SSS Track closing Friday’s five-stage itinerary.
Day one offers 60km of competitive mileage within a 204.23km route.
Saturday is the longest leg with 127.92km of timed sections and a 362.99km total.
Cars leave Parc Fermé for Service D before the Robert Rukaari test, repeats of Kaguta and Ankole Cow, and the second Charles Muhangi stage.
Mama follows into midday service, then further repeats of Kaguta and Ankole Cow before the Shell V-Power Power Stage, awarding bonus points.
Across two days, Pearl 2026 covers 188.39km of competitive stages and 567.22km overall. Thursday’s qualifying set Friday’s start order, with the fastest ARC driver choosing road position.
The rally is round two of the FIA African Rally Championship after Safari Rally Kenya opened the season. Rwanda and Tanzania host rounds three and four, while Ivory Coast, Zambia, and South Africa remain absent from the continental calendar.
Uganda’s event has drawn 23 ARC entries across four categories, including the mother-daughter crew of Tinashe and Caroline Gatimu, and top seeds Karan Patel, defending champion Yasin Nasser, Junior champion Samman Vohra, Aakif Virani, and Jasmeet Chana.
Organizers note the largest foreign entry in recent years. Patel leads the ARC standings after Safari, ahead of Virani, Vohra, and Chana, with Uganda’s Oscar Ntambi close behind.
The rally also counts toward the Uganda National Rally Championship, where local crews chase national points.
