KCB (Uganda) have added value to the 24 th edition of the Vivo Energy Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally (POAUR) 2023 with a sponsorship package of Ugx80m. The event which is the third round of Africa Rally Championship (ARC) is set for 5-7 th May, 2023.
Diana Komukama Ssempebwa, the KCB (Uganda) Head Marketing and Communication Manager handed over the dummy cheque to Dipu Ruparelia, President Federation of Motorsports Club of Uganda (FMU).
She congratulated FMU for a successful organization of the Pearl Rally last year and hope this one will even be better.
“Am happy to announce that KCB is contributing to the Pearl of Africa Rally, one of most exciting and prestigious sports event on Africa calendar,” Head of Marketing said.
At the same function, Ruparelia thanked KCB for their continued support of the annual event and appreciated the partnership for all these years.
He said: “Motorsports is almost worshiped as a religion in Uganda. Many fans are spending monies planned specifically for the rally weekend. As always these the case, these resources are left within communities where rallies are held.”
Ruparelia emphasized that for now the FIA has removed the yellow card from the Pearl Rally. “Let’s not relax but we must do all it takes to keep improving more on safety.
Earlier, Hajji Omar Mayanja, the Clerk of the Course said everyone is in rally mode and looking forward to a very successful event. The COC also thanked KCB (Uganda) for their support.

The event will have a total of 498km of which 207km spread over 12 competitive sections over two days while liaison is 291km.
Vivo Energy who pumped in UGx180m are the main sponsors, Scoul, Source of the Nile Hotel (Jinja), Fire and Safety Appliance Ltd, East Africa Chains Ltd, Ruparelia Group, Pit Stop Lounge, Jinja Municipality and Uganda Railways are the other partners.

The Vivo Energy have pledged to continue supporting motorsport in Uganda after handing over sponsorship packed of Ugx 180m to the Federation of Motor Sports Uganda (FMU), the organizers of the Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally. The event will run from 5 – 7 May, 2023.
“We are delighted once again to be the title sponsor of the Annual Pearl Rally” said Shell Managing Director, Mr Johan Grobbelaar during a function at their head office in Industrial Area.
“We are committed to supporting the growth and development of motorsport in Uganda and we believe that this event provides an excellent opportunity to showcase the performance and efficiency of
Shell V-Power.”
Vivo in its 11 th year of sponsoring the Pearl, have been proudly partnering FMU and looking forward to continuing to build upon this legacy of support.
He went on: “As part of our commitment to the sport, we also are delighted to be associated with top Ugandan rally driver, Ronald Sebuguzi. “Ronald is a talented and accomplished driver who has achieved numerous successes on the rally circuit.

This year marks our 9th year running of sponsorship to Ronald Sebuguzi, and we are proud to
provide him with a sponsorship package worth UGX50m.”
On his part, Dipu Ruparelia the FMU president thanked Vivo Energy for their continued support of motorsport. “Motorsport remains a fast- growing discipline attracting more and more fans by the day,” Rupareliastated. “FMU always seeks to partnership to help her in pulling off this event to ensure that it maintains its prestigious outlook and standard
every year.”
Ssebuguzi vowed to win his maiden Pearl Rally. “I have been second or third in the past, but this time round am all out to battle for the title, the Shell V-Power driver said.
This year’s the event will run in the districts of Buikwe and Jinja over three day