Despite all the three drivers Omar Mayanja, Arthur Blick Jr. and Ronald Ssebuguzi being sponsored by Vivo Energy under their brands Shell Heli and Shell V-Power, the crews are all targeting top three finish in the Pearl of Africa rally.
Ssebuguzi navigated by Leon Ssenyange in a Mitsubishi Evo X , Mayanja by Hussein Mukuye in an Evo X and Blick by Noella Blick in a Subaru N10 pro-drive are top targeting to three finish.
However, to meet their targets the crews have got a mountain to climb and that is to be both the local challengers and the foreign crews who pause a big challenge to the locals.

Mbarara Rally

Thirty two crews including foreign competitors, Manvir Baryani, Jaspreet Chatte (Kenya), Leroy Gomes, Kleevan Gomes (Zambia). Yoto Fabrice, Jean Claude Gakwaya (Rwanda) and Giancarlo Davite, (Belgium) will be challenging local favourites.

The local favourites include Ssebuguzi, Blick, Mayanja, KFC’s Desh Kananura, Hima Cement’s Ambrose Byona, Christakis Fitidis, 2016 Kabalega rally Godfrey Lubega,Duncan Mubiru aka Kikankane,Musa Kabega ,Kephar Walubi ,Dr.Ashraf Ahmed and Kuku Ranjit.

With the 12 stages being short between 7- 17kms and the longest being Banagonera and Nakyesa (30km)it will all depend on speed and skills.
Uganda‘s Hassan Alwi navigated by Enock Olinga in a Subaru N14 won last year’s event

By J.W.Ogola

A Member of Uganda Sports Press Association

and International sports Press Association (AIPS)