Drive through the Pearl with Reynolds Kibira

Drivers now turn cannons at the Pearl

After a very hectic KCB Safari Rally in Kenya, the battle ground for the coveted Africa Rally Championship now comes to Kampala. The Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally also title sponsored by KCB Bank Ltd, will be the coliseum in which rallying gladiators will prove their worth as true champions of the continent. Most African champions have had to win here previously and with the title still open after the stutter of championship leader Conrad Rautenbach, defending champion Jammie Whyte will remember his luck always lies with the Pearl.

The Safari was very treacherous throwing even the mighty Rautenbach to sixth position, Whyte to fourth but not so to our own Jas Mangat. Having gained experience from battling it out with top drivers in Kenya and the rest of the continent in the last 2 years, Jas’ strategy is beginning to pay off. The 2nd overall position during the Safari coming into home ground will put him a notch ahead of his local rivals, a steady improvement he has been showing over the years that has won him a thunderous fan-base in Uganda. Over 500 Ugandans were in Nairobi to witness our boy fly the National flag high and although Ronald Ssebuguzi could only manage 12th, it puts him in pole position to know the task ahead of him on a ground he has mastered. Ssebuguzi seems to be learning very fast from Jas that only competing on Ugandan soil against fellow Ugandans will not give him experience enough to win the Pearl of Africa Rally in order to join the immortals like Charlie Lubega, Riyaz Kurji (R.I.P.) and Charles Muhangi.

With less than a month to go, Event Manager KCB Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally, Mr. George Kagimu has assured Ugandans that this will be a very successful event, with safety paramount in a route designed to ensure less interference from public traffic. The sponsors response has been very good with KCB Uganda leading the way that will be treaded right on their heels by Hotel African Ltd, Shell Uganda, Coca Cola, Rwenzori Beverages, Fire Masters, Jomayi Properties, Musalaba Mwekundu, Quraish Enterprises, Uganda Police and many still coming on board. This may be Kagimu’s maiden Pearl as event manager having taken over from veteran Jack Wavamunno who is off due to a busy schedule, but he has caught the bull by the horn like a true matador and will surely bring it down by giving Uganda and Africa a great event. So KARIBU SANA!

Several inquiries have been made by drivers but actual registration has Jammie Whyte with Phil Archianol in their Subaru N10 from Zimbabwe, Allan Dethise and Ronald van Derveke in their Subaru N11 from Burundi, Fredrick Rakotomanga and Adam Yashin in their maiden visit to the Pearl and our own John Burrows Lumu. These and many others expected to compete, will as usual be awed by the incredible passion of the Ugandan fans first flocking the Lubiri Super Special stage on July 15th before hitting the road for Mukono District on the 16th and 17th. Who will emerge the champion of the Pearl? Will it be one of our own Ugandan drivers or is it once again going to a foreign crew? There is renewed hope after Jas Mangat’s good show in Kenya in a battle of titans and even though he has opted to plough his trade outside of this country for this season, he is much loved, he is that child we sent to learn the ways of our rivals and bring the knowledge home and fans will be waiting. Ronald Ssebuguzi may have not faired well in Kenya, but this is home tuff and he says, “Bring it on!” while Ponsiano Lwakataka if he drives, will as usual dare everybody’s speeds and the question will always be, “will he cross the finish line?” As for the foreign drivers, on Ugandan tuff, Jammie Whyte, in the absence of Conrad Rutennburg, will always be the man to beat.

Follow Reynolds K. Kibira will take you there as he drives you through the Pearl…