Pearl of Africa Rally: Susan Muwonge back in action after seven years

________________

Female rally ace Susan Muwonge has decided to end her racing sabbatical, making a timely return at the Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally, scheduled for May 7–11 in Mbarara district.

Super Lady, as she is popularly known in the rally fraternity, has not competed for the past seven years but is now set to return to the sport where she famously gave the dominant men a run for their money.

The 2011 and 2018 national rally champion is among the 45 crews registered to take part in the event, which is being staged in Mbarara for the first time.

By the close of entries on Friday evening, 45 crews had been confirmed, with the list dominated by Ugandan drivers alongside competitors from Kenya and Ethiopia.

Meanwhile, 50 people from Mbarara have enrolled for training as volunteer marshals for the four-day event, as momentum builds across the Ankole region.

The first training, held in Mbarara City, saw men and women from all walks of life enrol, with Federation of Motorsport Clubs of Uganda (FMU) Vice President and event route manager Hajji Hamidu Ggombe taking them through the basics.

“The event is big, and we need manpower, and we are ready to work with anyone willing to join us. It has been a good seven hours of training, but my message to the people of Mbarara and all those coming to the rally is to ensure safety, because when we do that, we shall have more events coming here,” Ggombe said.

The event has attracted a host of Ugandan drivers, including elite crews Ronald Ssebuguzi, Yasin Nasser, Ponsiano Lwakataka, Duncan Mubiru, and Joshua Muwanguzi. However, Jas Mangat is out.

Last year’s winner and 2023 ARC champion Karan Patel, alongside his Kenyan counterpart Samman Vohra, both driving Skoda Fabia R5s, headline Kenya’s intentions for another podium finish. Meanwhile, Rodolfo Valeri Stefano, navigated by Hassan Katerega in a Toyota Corolla, is Ethiopia’s sole representative.

Confirmed crews

Henry Maseruka / Phineas Mungufeni – Toyota Runx (UG)

Abas Mayinja / Geoffrey Serwoga – Subaru N8 (UG)

Sameer Nanji / Suraj Pala – Subaru Impreza N10 (KEN)

Issa Amwari / Denis Mwenda – Mitsubishi EVO X (KEN)

Samman Vohra / Drew Sturock – Skoda Fabia R5 (KEN)

Odeon Tumwebaze / Hussein Mukuye – Toyota Altezza (UG)

Rodolfo Valeri Stefano / Hassan Katerega – Toyota Corolla (ETH)

Nasser Mutebi / Steven Bunya – Mitsubishi EVO X (UG)