With the Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally 2025 just around the corner, Caltex Uganda has made a roaring comeback to the motorsport scene.
In a move that’s sure to set the rally world buzzing, they’ve slapped down a UGX 10 million sponsorship each for the National Rally Championship’s (NRC) reigning firecracker, Ponsiano Lwakataka, and the fearless 2WD contender, Mansoor Lubega.
The big reveal came during a morning press briefing at the Caltex Uganda head office in Kampala, though with the level of excitement in the room, one would think they were launching a rocket to the moon. Cameras clicked, journalists elbowed each other for front-row selfies, and somewhere in the back, a fan whispered, “Lwakataka just got fuelled for lift-off!”
The sponsorship, worth UGX 10 million each for Ponsiano Lwakataka and Mansoor Lubega, is not just pocket change; it’s enough to make their rally machines scream louder, turn sharper, and possibly fly a little lower to the ground. It’s aimed at boosting the duo’s competitiveness in this year’s Pearl Rally and, let’s be honest, giving other drivers a very good reason to start sweating.
Stealing the spotlight like a veteran stage actor was Joy Lyavaala, the ever-poised Marketing Manager of Caltex Uganda. With a confident smile and the calm tone of someone who knows she’s about to drop a nostalgia bomb, she reminded everyone of Caltex’s golden era in rallying. She wasn’t kidding.
With fond flashbacks to the days when Moses Lumala was basically Uganda’s answer to Colin McRae, Lyavaala promised the Caltex revival wasn’t just a one-lap wonder.
“We were here when rallying was a religion, and we’re back to make sure it doesn’t go to heaven just yet.
“This partnership reflects our continued commitment to motorsport in Uganda. We are proud to support two outstanding competitors—Ponsiano and Mansoor—who represent the passion, resilience, and talent that define Ugandan rallying,” Lyavaala remarked. “Caltex is back, and we’re here to stay. This is just the beginning.”
Ponsiano Lwakataka, who’s currently on fire at the top of the NRC standings with a hefty 117 points, thanks to two dominant performances in the opening rounds, couldn’t hide his excitement about the sponsorship.
“It’s like the universe just gave me a green light,” he said, grinning ear to ear. With this timely boost, he’s more motivated than ever to leave the competition eating his dust. “This sponsorship is exactly what I needed to keep the momentum going. Now, let’s show them how it’s done!”
Lwakataka will be strapping into his trusty Subaru Impreza N12 an old warhorse that’s seen more action than most rally cars dream of. The machine, practically an extension of his right foot by now, has served him faithfully in past battles and is once again ready to roar, slide, and possibly scare a few spectators off the verges.
Meanwhile, Mansoor Lubega, currently holding fourth place in the fiercely competitive 2WD category, hailed the sponsorship as a loud and clear vote of confidence in rising talent—specifically, the kind that drifts around corners like it’s personal. “It shows they believe in the underdogs with bite,” he quipped, clearly fired up to turn heads and maybe a few corners sideways at lightning speed.
Behind the wheel of his finely tuned Toyota Corolla, a machine that purrs like a kitten but bites like a lion — Lubega has been quietly racking up results, turning heads with his consistency and cornering flair. This season, he’s impressed even the sceptics, and heading into Mbarara, he’s not just chasing a podium—he’s stalking it like prey.
Scheduled for next weekend, the Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally 2025 will take place in Mbarara and Kiruhura districts, with a total of 53 crews registered to compete, including nine international entries from Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Zambia.
As one of the most prestigious events on the Uganda Motorsports calendar and a critical round of the FIA Africa Rally Championship (ARC), the Pearl Rally is expected to draw massive crowds, inject economic activity into the host towns, and deliver nail-biting action across all categories.
With seasoned veterans like Yasin Nasser, Susan Muwonge, Ronald Ssebuguzi, and international R5 entries also in the mix, the competition promises to be fierce. All eyes, however, will be on Lwakataka and Lubega as they aim to justify their new partnership with strong performances under the Caltex banner.
