Uganda is once again ready to make its presence felt on the international motorsport stage as four determined crews prepare to fly the national flag high at this year’s legendary Safari Rally Kenya, which officially roars into life on Thursday March 12, in the lakeside town of Naivasha.
The normally calm Naivasha service park has transformed into a hive of heavy activity, with mechanics crawling under cars, tightening the final bolts and polishing rally machines that will soon face one of the most brutal challenges in global motorsport.
The air is filled with the smell of fuel, dust and anticipation as teams rush through the final preparations before the big adventure begins.
Earlier today, drivers and co-drivers wrapped up their official reconnaissance, a crucial exercise where crews carefully study the stages and prepare their pacenotes.
The recce allows competitors to memorize every blind crest, deceptive corner, deep fesh-fesh section and the occasional rock that seems to appear out of nowhere just to remind drivers that the Safari Rally is never an easy guest. The unpredictable Kenyan terrain has built a reputation for punishing even the most experienced crews.
Leading Uganda’s charge are African Rally Champions Yasin Nasser and co-driver Ali Katumba, who will be competing in their Ford Fiesta.
The highly experienced duo will be hoping to use their continental pedigree and rally wisdom to navigate the rough Safari stages while battling some of the world’s finest drivers.
Also representing Uganda is the ever-exciting Duncan Mubiru, famously known as “Kikankane.” He will be navigated by Joseph Kamya in a Subaru Impreza GVB under the Betika colours.
Mubiru is widely known for his thrilling driving style and crowd-pleasing moments, meaning fans can expect both speed and spectacle as he attacks the unforgiving Kenyan roads.
Another Ugandan crew ready for the challenge features Oscar Ntambi and co-driver Asumman Mohammed, who will be competing in a KCB-sponsored Mitsubishi Evo X.
For this pair, the 2026 Safari Rally marks their first attempt at the iconic event together, making it a major milestone and a valuable learning experience in their rally careers.
Completing Team Uganda are Timothy Gawaya and co-driver Francis Wamala, who return to tackle the Safari Rally for the second time. Armed with previous experience and improved preparation, the crew will campaign their Toyota Starlet with hopes of conquering the demanding stages that stretch across Kenya’s rugged landscapes.
The rally action begins tomorrow morning with the shakedown stage, which will only be contested by Rally1 and Rally2 cars as teams test their final setups.
Later in the day, the ceremonial start will officially launch the rally before competitors head out for two competitive stages scheduled for the evening, setting the tone for what promises to be a dramatic weekend of racing.
Besides being the third round of the World Rally Championship, the event also doubles as the opening round of the African Rally Championship, meaning African crews will be eager to start their continental title campaigns strongly while chasing valuable championship points.
For Uganda, the Safari Rally represents more than just another race. It is a stage where courage meets opportunity and where local talent can shine under the bright lights of the global motorsport arena.
As the engines roar and the dust clouds rise across the Kenyan savannah, Team Uganda carries with it the pride of a nation determined to prove that with resilience, passion and fearless driving, Ugandan motorsport can stand tall among the best in Africa and the world.
