If you thought Karan Patel was going to walk through the Shell V-Power Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally like it was a Sunday stroll in Mabira Forest, think again. Samman Vohra, the calm-looking assassin from Kenya, pulled up in his rally car and decided to rewrite the script and maybe the constitution of rallying while he was at it.
Rally leader Samman Vohra negotiates a hairpin during the superspecial stage (Photo credit Innocent Mutaawe)
From stage one, it was clear Samman wasn’t here to make friends. With Drew Sturrock on the notes and a turbo that sounds like it’s being powered by anger and jet fuel, the duo wiped the floor with the competition, winning 4 out of 5 stages like it was a casual video game session. His total time of 34:43.42 left competitors questioning their tire choices, their life goals, and maybe even their blood pressure.
Behind him, Karan “Mr. Consistent” Patel and co-driver Tauseef Khan tried their best to keep up, managing to win one stage and finishing with 35:47.62. The reigning ARC champ may have met his match, and from the look of his eyes at the end of stage five, he knows it. If this were a boxing match, he’s on the ropes, sweating like he saw his mother-in-law at the finish line.
2nd placed Karan patelduring the super special stage (Photo credit Innocent Mutaawe)
Uganda’s own Yasin Nasser and Ali Katumba are chilling in third place with a time of 37:29.49 probably sending a heartfelt “thank you” note to the rally gods and the entire animal kingdom for keeping the wildlife off their racing line. Not a single zebra flash-mobbed their bonnet, no giraffe photobombed the pace notes, and not even a cheeky monkey tried to hitch a ride! The duo drove smooth, stayed smart, and now look like they’re just waiting for day two to show up with snacks, a strategy, and maybe a surprise attack.
Uganda’s Yasin Nasser pushing his ford fiesta through kaguta stage (Phot credit Innocent Mutaawe)
Duncan Mubiru (yes, the undisputed king of sideways) and Joseph Kamya weren’t far behind, sliding their way into fourth with a time of 38:27.48. At this point, with the kind of pace and drama he’s serving, don’t be shocked if Duncan tries to overtake a tree tomorrow sideways, handbrake pulled, turbo whining, and the tree left wondering what just happened. Honestly, the only thing Duncan hasn’t drifted past yet is common sense… and even that’s looking shaky by stage five.
Duncan Mubiru the top placed national negotiating the hairpin in today’s superspecial stage (Photo credit Innocent Mutaawe)
Cruising into fifth are Michael Mukula Jr. and Siraj Kyambadde with a smooth 39:47.87 – a calm, collected run that felt less like a rally and more like a scenic Sunday drive through the wilderness. Rumor has it they were bumping Afrobeats in the cockpit, sipping imaginary lattes, and wondering why everyone else was dodging bushes like they owed them money. No panic, no drama just vibes, gears, and a gentle reminder that fast doesn’t always mean frantic.
But heartbreak struck harder than a Wandegeya pothole at 2 a.m. for Ponsiano “Kasese Express” Lwakataka and Paul Musazi. After hyping up their rally entry like the premiere of a new Marvel blockbuster trailers, fanfare, and maybe even a popcorn combo the engine had other plans. It took one look at Stage 2 and said, “Nah, I’m out.” It coughed, sighed, and shut down like a phone on 1% battery. The only thing still firing was Paul’s world-class ability to look deeply, soul-crushingly disappointed. If disappointment was a stage time, they’d still be leading..
And the award for “Most Unexpected Wildlife Encounter” goes to Susan Muwonge, a.k.a. Superlady, who came face-to-face with an impala not a Chevy, the actual animal in stage 3. Her Subaru Impreza N12 caught the full wrath of Bambi’s cousin, wrecking the front end. But in true rally fashion, she duct-taped it back together (or maybe bribed the car with snacks) and rejoined for the Super Special like the champ she is.
Mansoor Lubega and Ronald Bukenya are out front, tearing it up in their Toyota Corolla like it’s 1998 all over again, and everyone else left eating nostalgic dust. With a time of 45:46.37, they’re flexing harder than a gym bro in front of a mirror. Right behind them, Edward Kirumira showed up in the Stabex-labeled chariot, posting a 47:59.69 and probably running on a mix of fuel and pure determination. And in third, the Kavuma namesakes Amir and Kennethrolled in with 48:44.07 in their Subaru WRX 2WD, proving that brothers who race together, stay together… unless the brakes ghost them mid-stage. In that case, it’s every sibling for themselves and Jesus take the wheel.
CRC Class:
This category is so tight, it’s giving math teachers migraines and forcing calculators into early retirement. Kevin Bebeto and Mwambazi Lawrence (yes, yours truly humble flex activated!) are clinging to the lead by just 22 seconds, and at this point we’re counting milliseconds. Hot on their heels are Walter Kibande and Duncan Katumba in a GC8 that doesn’t purr it growls like a grumpy lion woken up from a nap it did not approve of. And lurking in third, Kiggundu Sentongo and Yusuf Babu are definitely still in the fight, probably sharpening their spanners and plotting a comeback with the quiet intensity of a villain in a telenovela.
Kevin Bebeto negotiates the hairpin during the superspecial (photo credit Milly Next)
To make it worse (or better?), each of the three CRC stages has had a different winner so now it’s less of a rally and more of a high-speed relay race… minus the batons, and plus a whole lot of turbo, dust, and emotional damage. Anything could happen on day two including someone overtaking the rally itself.
Looking Ahead to Tomorrow:
Strap in, because Day 2 features eight savage stages, including the monster Kaguta Stage (23.28km of pure chaos). Oh, and did we mention all the stages run through wildlife-filled national parks? Don’t be surprised if a zebra pulls out in front of someone like it’s trying to cross to the nearest boda stage.
If day one was the appetizer, tomorrow is the full buffet – with a side of gravel, turbo noise, and maybe a monkey on someone’s bonnet.
