Jonas Kansime

Nick Name: Matayo

Nationality: Ugandan

Profession: Mechanical Engineer / Automobile Engineer

Base: Kampala, Uganda

Codriver: Ronald Bukenya

Car: Mitsubishi Evo8

Team: Matayo Rally Team

Class: NRC

Overview

Jonas Kansime is a respected Ugandan rally driver who has built a strong name in the country’s motorsport scene through experience, consistency, and determination. Over the years, he has become one of the familiar faces in the Uganda National Rally Championship (NRC), regularly competing against some of the best drivers in the country. His calm approach and steady performances have earned him respect from fans and fellow competitors alike.

Entry Into Motorsport

He gained major recognition in 2014 when he won the Source of the Nile Jinja Rally, marking his first National Rally Championship victory. That win helped establish him as a serious contender in Ugandan rallying and proved that he had the speed and skill to compete at the highest level. Since then, Jonas has remained active in national rally events, always aiming for strong finishes and valuable championship points

Driving Style

Jonas Kansime is known for a smart yet aggressive driving style that blends speed with experience. While many drivers chase unnecessary drama on the stages, Jonas prefers calculated attacks, using consistency, control, and strong finishing pace to stay competitive. Despite driving an aging Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII, he continues to push hard and extract impressive performance from the machine. His approach has helped him remain a serious contender on Uganda’s rough and demanding rally roads, where patience, discipline, and bravery are just as important as outright speed. Many fans describe him as a driver who lets results speak louder than noise.

Co-driver Partnership

Jonas Kansime has worked with several co-drivers throughout his rally career , Among the notable names he has teamed up with are Aaron Nsamba, Joseph Bongole , Ivan Tushabe  and, more recently, Ronald Bukenya. These partnerships have played an important role in helping him navigate tough rally stages, maintain pace notes accuracy, and stay competitive in Uganda’s motorsport scene.

Vehicle

Throughout his rally career, Jonas Kansime has driven competitive machines such as the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII and Subaru Impreza WRX STI N10 as well as the iconic Subaru Impreza GC8. These cars have helped him challenge for podium finishes and keep pace with some of the country’s top crews. For this year’s Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally 2026, his weapon of choice is the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII, freshly rebuilt and returning from sabbatical, ready to roar back into action.

The Shell Vpower Pearl Of Africa Rally Expectations

At this year’s Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally, Jonas Kansime makes his return after a sabbatical from competition since the 2024 EMC Jinja Rally. His mission is loud and clear: to finish the event on a high note and use it as the perfect platform to kick-start his charge for the 2026 Uganda National Rally Championship title. With experience on his side and renewed determination, Jonas will be aiming to remind everyone that he is still a force to reckon with