Big cash boost for Pearl of Africa in Mbarara and Kiruhura
This year's rally is especially important because it counts as the second round of both the Africa Rally Championship (ARC) and the National Rally Championship (NRC).
Head of Marketing and Communication at KCB Bank, Noela Byuuma (third from right), with FMU executives during the unveiling of the Shs80 million sponsorship. (Photo by Gerald Kikulwe)
With only three weeks to go before the Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally 2026, the event has received a major financial boost of shs80 million.
The money will help run the three-day rally, scheduled for May 7–10 in Mbarara and Kiruhura District.
The sponsorship was announced by KCB Bank Uganda during the rally launch in Kampala.
This year's rally is especially important because it counts as the second round of both the Africa Rally Championship (ARC) and the National Rally Championship (NRC). About 30 Ugandan crews will take part, along with seven from Kenya, five from Tanzania, and three from Rwanda.
Noela Byuuma, Head of Marketing and Communication at KCB Bank, said the bank is committed to motorsport. She confirmed that KCB will sponsor not only the Pearl of Africa Rally but also all eight events on the national rally calendar this season.
Event Clerk of the Course, Kisitu Mayanja, shared the rally schedule. On May 7, there will be car inspections, a practice session, and a qualifying stage to set the starting order. On May 8, drivers will tackle two long competitive stages and a Super Special Stage designed for fans. The final day, May 9, features eight tough stages that will test drivers' endurance and skill.
Two stages stand out. The Kaguta stage is the longest at 23.3 km and very challenging. The Robert Rukaari stage is the shortest at just over 6 km, but it is important because drivers can earn extra championship points there.
In total, the rally will cover about 201.85 km of competitive racing, plus 367.31 km of non-competitive driving, making a total of about 569.16 km over three days.