Press Release

Ugandan Junior riders optimistic for greater results ahead of race.

BY FRANK SSERUGO, CAPE TOWN
UGANDA’S riders sound optismistic and targetful ahead of the hard throttle opening and firing at the 2023 FIM-AFRICA Motocross of African Nations.

The Continent’s top showpiece reeves off Saturday with free practice for riders, ahead real action aroundb12:00noon local time.

Though, Uganda has been in a drought of 13 years with no overall continental tittle their disposal since 2012, her Junior riders are ready to turn tables around.

A big number of them apart from Fortune Ssentamu, we’re not on team of 2012 that wrote history, when Uganda won the African top Motocross accolade after playing as host at Uganda Motorport Arena,Busiika.

Riders spoken to, included juniors in 50CC, 65, 85 Elite, Mx125 and MX2,that all sounded positive,and hopeful.

Milton Akaki Obote:
It’s all fine, everything seems good,i believe we have prepared well, track is different, much higher level track,more rough and will have to ride seriously.

 

 

Stav Orland:
He one rider on team Uganda, who has rode on Zone7 race track during the South African National local championship events prior to Mxoan event.
Set to ride one of the latest KTM versions, 2024 model, Stav is aware big upheaval awaiting them in Mx2 class that has lethal riders.
But feels good, doesn’t want to get too much in his head,only ready to handle each heat as it unfolds.

 

 

Fortune Ssentamu:
Another ugandan who riders on host track, says, its always been honor to represent his country 110 percent.
His principle target at 2023 Mxoan edition, is to get as many points for Uganda,and keep in top five in his Mx2 category.

 

 

 

 

 

Jerome Mubiru:
Riding on hired KTM bike from South Africa, Mubiru is confident quite of them in MX elite will excel.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Larry Ssekamwa:
Having finished fourth overall at last edition in Garuga, Ssekamwa is one of the hard chasers on track.
The 10 year- old targets running close and working better with Miguel Katende on track against their other Nations nemesis in 65CC class.

 

 

 

 

 

Ron Young:
First timer, Riding on 2022 Husqvarna bike, is targeting to finish the race and getting maximum points in 85 Elite class.

 

 

 

 

Noel Ssekamwa:
One of the Junior boys Uganda has fielded in the 50CC, He is ready to compete  with top runners in his category.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Miguel Katende:
Africa’s number two in the 65 CC category and world’s number 36,Katende says with the likes of South Africa’s Evan Fronst and Ledwaba Kabelo being at home, he has a different game plan for them.
He recently competed with them at the world Junior Motocross champion in Romania, with each having their own struggles at world championship.

 

 

 

 

 

Aron Orland:
Competing in 125CC class, Aron says he will need to be more aggressive, up the game,keep at high fitness level and speedy.
He consents that, most of his South African counterparts have had much time for training unlike him having less time due to his tight time table.
Aron is however adds that, its going to be an all different bold game for Saturday and Sunday at the sandy Zone7 racing track.

 

 

 

The annual Continent’s top showpiece has attracted nine countries including Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Morocco, Botswana, and hosts South Africa who won last year’s edition that was held in Uganda.
END.

Posted by Patrick

Nasser takes ARC lead after Pearl 2023 win

RESULTS (ARC)
1. Yasin Nasser / Ali Katumba (Ford Fiesta R5) Rally2/ARC 2:40:41
2. Rio Smith / Riyaz Ismail (Subaru Impreza GVB) RC2/NR4/ARC 2:47:50
3. Jas Mangat / Joseph Kamya (Mitsubishi EvoX) RC2/R4/ARC 2:47:53
4. Innocent Bwamiki / Hamza Lwanga (Evo 9) RC2/ARC 3:41:26
ARC standing
1- Yasin Nasser 54 pts
2- Jas Mangat 42
3- Karen Patel 30
4- Rio Smith 24

 

Yasin Nasser/ Ali Katumba in Ford Fiesta R5 has taken over the lead of
the Africa Rally Championship (ARC) after winning the 24 th edition of
the Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally 2023 in a time of 2:40:41.
It was a sweet win for the Moil sponsored Rally crew after being given a
10 minutes penalty for missing the final competitive section Edwin
Kalule ( 24.61km) on Saturday (Day One) with a steering wheel problem.

 

“It was a challenging rally worth a smile at the end of the day, winning
the ARC and finishing as the third best local in the NRC,” Nasser said.
He added: We are now looking forward to Rally of Tanzania in July to
strengthen our top position in ARC.
Nasser finished second in the Equator Rally Kenya in March 2023.

Kenya driver Rio Smith driving with Riyaz Ismail in a Subaru Impreza
GVB was equally thrilled with his second place in a time of 2:47:50
which guaranteed him his first points in the ARC title race.
“It was an amazing experience moving from a 2wd to 4wd. We have
enjoyed ourselves to the position finish and picking our first ARC
points” Uganda has incredibly good technical roads that have
everything not forgetting the fans that attribute the win for their
motivation,” he said.
Jas Mangat/ Joseph Kamya in Mitsubishi Evo X like Nasser encountered
a torrid day one aftert penalized 20 minutes for missing two
competitive sections (Scoul 2- 18.45km and Edwin Kalule- 24.61km).
But Jas winner of last year’s event bounced back to finish third in a time
of 2:47:53, seven minutes behind the leader.
Mangat said: “It was crucial to battle to the last hour as his main focus
was to pick the vital points for Pearl and be ahead of Karen Patel before
round four Tanzania Rally in July.

Posted by Patrick

Kikankane finally Pearl Rally winner

Duncan Mubiru / Joseph Bongole (Ford Fiesta Proto)
2:30:54
Byron RUGOMOKA / Hakim Mawanda (Mitsubishi EvoX)
2:32:30
Yasin Nasser / Ali Katumba (Ford Fiesta R5)
2:39:54
Alwi Hassan/ Hussien Mukuye (Subaru N14)
2:45:21
Jas Mangat / Joseph Kamya (Mitsubishi Evo X)
2:45:25
Oascar Ntambi/ Muhammed Asuman (Toyota Alteza)
2:52:46
Ibrahim Lubega / Mustapha Kanakulya (Toyota Corolla Fx)
3:02:23
Umar Kakyama / Robert Katabalwa (Ford Fiesta) 3:16:34
Abasi Mayinja / Geofrey Sserwoga (Subaru N10) 3:16:46
Isaac Ssozi/ Jackson Sserwanga (Subaru Impreza)
3:21:16
Fred Kitaka/ Mildred Kibuuka (Subaru N10)
3:21:16:45
Mansoor Lubega/ Arthur Lugoloobi (Toyota Trueno)
3:21:45
Rashid Makumbi/ Yusuf Babu (Mitsubishi Evo X)
3:25:12
Mustapha Mukasa/ Lawrence Mwambazi (Subaru Impreza)
3:28:33

Muzamir Watolya/Kevin Lubambula (Subaru Impreza)
3:34:23
Peter Kalule/ John Bosco Musisi (Subaru XV)
3:36:47
Innocent Bwamika/ Hamza Lwanga (Mitsubishi Evo 9)
3:38:58
Nasser Mutebi/ Shakira Nabwami (Mitsubishi Evo 9)
3:43:22
Dauda Umar/ Steven Bunya (Mitsubishi Evo 6)
3:43:22:98
Nasser Ratib/ Gilbert Waluggyo (Toyota Corolla FX)
4:17:08
Edward Kirumira/ Gloria Nantongo (Toyota Corona)
4:18:16
NRC STANDINGS AFTER TWO ROUNDS
Yasin Nasser – 198 pts
Duncan Mubiru 173
Byron Rugomoka 160
Hassan Alwi 113

At the eighth time of participation, Duncan ‘Kikankane’ Mubiru finally
becomes Shell v-Power Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally (POAUR) overall
winner. The Ford Fiesta Proto driver with Joseph Bongole finished the
two day event in as time of 2:30:54 over a minute ahead of Byron
Rugomoka / Hakim Mawanda (Mitsubishi EvoX) the reigning national
champion. Before his victory, his best finish in Pearl was third behind
Kenyan Jaspret Chatthe (Evo X) and Des Kananura (Subaru N14) in
2015.

The 2020/21 national rally champion said: “It’s a great pleasure and
excitement winning POAUR which comes with its challenge. This is just
the beginning of yet another exciting season. Good enough every one
tested the hardness of pearl and who ever finished is a victor.”
Kikankane, 49, is one of the driver with the largest rally fans followers
underlined his intention on day one moving into third position after
opening three sections ( 52.70km) behind Yasin Nasser/ Ali Katumba
(Ford Fiesta R5) and Jas Mangat/ Joseph Kamya (Evo X) respectively.
By end of Day, he was leading after the Nasser and Mangat
encountered mechanical problem. “Day two was all about
concentration to finish,” he elaborated.

Kikankane, first bust on the rally scene during the Pearl Rally in 2011
but failed to finish but following Pearl rally win and third place finish in
Mbarara Rally early this year, he moves into second place in NRC with
173pts 25 behind leader Nasser.

Rugomoka who made his Pearl Rally debut in 2017, has continued to
rise following his NRC triumph last season. Last year he finished 6 th and
his second place will boast his chances of retaining the NRC title. He is
third with 160 pts.

Nasser who finished third overall nine minutes behind Kikankane, is still
in running for both ARC and NRC title. He leads both championships
with 54 and 198 points respectively. Hassan Alwi winner of Pearl in
2016, came forth over 14 minutes behind the winner while Mangat last
year’s champions will have to wait for another year to record his thread
pearl win. The event which attracted 32 cars had a total of 494.21km of
which 205.27km spread over 12 competitive sections.

Posted by Patrick

Ntambi positive about his 2WD title defence

Oscar Ntamba 2WD drive defending National Rally Champion (NRC) is optimistic about defending his title, after securing
financial by KCB Uganda.
Ntambi assured his new sponsors success in the upcoming Shell V-Power Pearl of Africa Rally 5th-7th May, 2023.
Diana Komukama Ssempebwa bank’s head of marketing and Communications signed the contract with Ntambi on behalf of
the institution at headquarters in Kampala.
Ntambi, driving a Toyota Alteza joined rallying in 2019, during a sprint at Garuga double race track.
However, with covid-19 pandemic affecting sports globally, held him back until 2021 when he competed in the Clubman
Rally Championship (CRC) with two class victories registered.
The 2022 season was all celebration for Forest Rally Team crew, as they went out full throttle with several victories in their 2WD
classification, icing their efforts with a title at end.
“We are champions and Pearl Africa Rally 2WD class winners. We settling for no less a win again, “a confident Ntambi stated.
Ntambi added, since the weather conditions seem same as last year, they are fully set and prepared after being fired up
financially KCB bank Uganda.

“We have had upgrades on car( Toyota Alteza), just fitted new reigner dampers which gives us confidence for good results”
Ntambi outlined.

The Forest rally team is second crew sponsored by KCB bank in this year of Pearl of Africa rally ,away from Michael George
Mukula Junior, unlike last year when it sponsored one foreign crew of Karan Patel and Tauseef Khan in Ford Fiesta R5.

Posted by Patrick

East African Chains host POUAR Secretariat

The Federation of Motorsports Clubs of Uganda (FMU) is grateful for the East African Chains Ltd (EACL) for housing the
Shell V- Power Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally 2013 secretariat and stores.
This was revealed by Albert Ofong the Deputy Events Manager at a function held at the company’s offices 2 nd street Industrial
Area.
“The Partnership is growing each year and appealed to motorsport fraternity to get all the industrial machinery from
East African Chains Ltd,” the deputy events manager said. “We are looking forward to partnership in 2024.”
While welcoming the FMU team to their premises, Leah Kirabo, the project engineer said: “Over the year there has been a good
working relationship with FMU and hopes it continues.”
For his part, Andrew Akome, the Sales engineer said they are the leading suppliers of convey belts, lifting chains and heavy
duty machinery.
Vivo Energy are the title sponsors while KCB, Scoul, Source of the Nile Hotel (Jinja), Fire and Safety Appliance Ltd, Ruparelia
Group, Mubs (Jinja), Jinja Municipality, Uganda Railways and Uganda Police are co-sponsors.

Posted by Patrick

KCB in Rally Mode after UGX80m Sponsorship package for Pearl Rally

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.

Posted by Patrick

Vivo energy fuels Pearl Rally with UGx180m

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

Posted by Patrick

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