At 61, Lumala seeks elusive Pearl Rally glory
His mission is as personal as it is ambitious: to finally conquer the one title that has persistently eluded him throughout his distinguished career.
Moses Lumala. Photo by Gerald Kikulwe
With only six days remaining before the Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally 2026 roars to life in the districts of Kiruhura and Mbarara, veteran Ugandan rally driver Moses Lumala is preparing for a remarkable return after a 20-year absence from top-level competition.
His mission is as personal as it is ambitious: to finally conquer the one title that has persistently eluded him throughout his distinguished career.
At 61, Lumala remains one of the most respected figures in Uganda’s rallying history. He was a dominant force on the national scene throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, earning a reputation for both speed and technical skill. Despite his credentials, including two National Rally Championship titles in 1999 and 2003, the Pearl Rally has long stood as an unfulfilled chapter in his legacy.
Lumala last featured in the 2006 Pearl Rally, after which he stepped away from the sport. During his prime, he participated in 18 consecutive editions of the event, yet remarkably managed to finish only twice, in 2003 and 2005. A combination of mechanical failures and misfortune repeatedly cut short his campaigns, denying him even a podium finish.
Reflecting on those years, Lumala speaks candidly about the frustrations that defined his pursuit of the title. “I often approached each event with tremendous determination and optimism,” he said. “However, time and again, I was forced to retire due to mechanical failures or unforeseen setbacks. It was deeply frustrating, especially given the effort and preparation involved.”
He also recalls that his first completed Pearl Rally in 2003 came under unusual circumstances, as he was not driving his own car but one he had hired from the late Rayz Kurji. Even so, that finish remains a significant milestone in a career otherwise marked by near-misses in the event.
Now, more than two decades later, Lumala believes he has unfinished business. While acknowledging the physical demands of rallying at his age, he places his confidence in experience, mental discipline, and an enduring passion for the sport.
“This moment represents something I have anticipated for a very long time, the second chapter of my rally career,” he remarked.
“The first chapter was defined by numerous challenges and disappointments, but I now feel better prepared, both mentally and strategically. Although I participated in the season opener, my primary focus has always been this rally. I am ready to compete once again at a serious level.”
Lumala’s journey in motorsport began in 1995 after his return from Japan, where he acquired a Toyota Levin Super Charger. Inspired by Uganda’s vibrant rally scene at the time, he quickly rose through the ranks to become one of the country’s elite drivers.
This year’s edition of the Pearl Rally, scheduled from May 7 to 10, will once again take place in western Uganda for the second consecutive season.