It has been a story of resilience, drama, climax and anticlimax as the KCB Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally finally came to a close with the Prize giving Ceremony at KCB Oasis Mall branch, Nakumat at 17:00 hours. Not even the weather has stopped that to happen in style, even as it threatened to rain all the while.

One man stands out in this melodrama, and his story is something from the movies. James Whyte has taken Uganda by storm winning the rally and walking away with a huge fan base. The Zimbabwean now known as “billionaire” by  the fans he has so much won over by his speeds and consistence with style, swept every KCB trophy available in 1st overall Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally, Best foreign Crew and of course  Best ARC driver and Best Car Group N. The rest had to share the remainder but true to the sponsors promise, everyone had something to take home.

Rwandan Giancarlo Davite swept through the CS10 to win the Riyaz floating trophy dedicated to Riyaz Kurji (R.I.P) while tears were shed for Ponsiano Lwakataka, who had recovered from Saturday’s mishaps to actually swing the top spot only to drop out in the transport section enroute to finish at Hotel African. His car simply failed after doing everything to post best time, and actually at one time being head to head with Whyte in 1st position.

However, like we say in Uganda, in a cows tears lies the dog’s happiness. Ssebuguzi seized this moment to clinch the 2nd Position, together with trophies for best FMU National Rally Championship winner, and best local crew. Cristakis Fitidis with G. Dekelver came in 3rd over all and 2nd ARC driver.

Safety was beefed all day and no major incidents have been realized today unlike Saturday where 2 fans lost their lives to speeding cars of Lwakataka and Shafiq Ssemujju. The ASN, cautioned fans to be more careful in subsequent events and an intensive awareness campaign to help deter such accident is going to be embarked upon.

As the day closed and indeed the Pearl Rally, drivers could only be thankful as many of them wrecked their machines, others showed brevity and endurance. Charles Muhangi, 1999 ARC champion proved to the youngsters and veterans alike that there is only one black man that can take on the hard terrain of Africa. His heroics are something from the gods and we can only speculate what would have happened had he started the rally, while Edson Mungyereza has done it all to finish this rally.

Ben Muchemi has also been a darling of the fans possibly due to his very likeable demeanor and his smile lighted the prize giving ceremony.
We can only say well done well competed and to the winners well won. Till next year. For the Ugandans, the heat goes on as we search for the National Champion and so does for the rest going back home.

Final Standing