By Mwambazi Lawrence-

The silence of western Uganda is about to be shattered by turbochargers and  flying gravel, as foreign rally crews begin streaming into the country for the highly anticipated Shell V-Power Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally 2026. With Mbarara and Kiruhura District preparing to host East Africa’s finest drivers, the rally fever has officially gripped Uganda, and fans know one thing for sure  when the foreign number plates start arriving, the battle is real.

This morning, the Tanzanian crew of Ahmed Huwel became the first international team to touch down in Uganda, arriving together with their Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 machine. The car is currently stationed at Moil Banda, where the team is making final preparations before heading to Mityana tomorrow morning for a test session. After that, they are expected to begin their journey to Mbarara on Monday.

Elsewhere, Kenyan service crews were spotted crossing the border this afternoon as they made their way toward Kampala, where they will regroup before proceeding to the rally base in Mbarara. Several local crews are also expected to depart tomorrow, ensuring they arrive in time to settle in and prepare for what promises to be an exciting week of motorsport action.

This year’s edition of the Pearl of Africa Rally is already shaping up to be one of the biggest in recent memory, boasting a powerful mix of international stars and top Ugandan contenders all battling for top honours. Fans are already buzzing with excitement, and hotels, garages, and fuel stations in the host towns are beginning to feel the rally fever.

Scrutineering for ARC crews and selected local entries is scheduled for Wednesday at shell makenke, where machines will undergo final inspection before being cleared to start. Thursday will feature qualifying and shakedown at Mwesigwa Resort, giving fans an early taste of the action as crews fine-tune their cars.

The first competitive day of rallying will roar into life on Friday, with three long stages rotating through Akageti, where designated spectator viewing points will be set up for fans. Day Two on Saturday will repeat the same demanding stages, setting the stage for a fierce fight to the finish. With the best local drivers ready to defend home soil and foreign crews hungry for victory, all signs point to a thrilling spectacle in western Uganda.

The 2026 Pearl of Africa Rally is proudly sponsored by Shell through Shell V-Power, KCB Bank, Lake View Hotel, and several other partners.