Car rally enthusiasts will on Friday storm the opening of the prestigious Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally (May 7th to 9th)
Pearl 2026 covers 188.39km of competitive stages, 378.83km of liaison, and a rally total of 567.22km.
Thursday is packed with free practice, qualifying stage, shakedown, and a ceremonial start at Lake View Resort in Mbarara.
Rally cars will roll out of Lake View Resort on Friday morning before a 31.71km transport road section to remote Service A In and Out at Mwesigwa.
The stage honours Muhangi, the legendary Ugandan who won the African Rally Championship in 1999. His long-standing record as Uganda’s only ARC champion was broken last year when Yasin Nasser sealed the 2025 continental title at the season-closing ARC Mkwawa Rally in Tanzania.
After SS1, crews tackle the 20.1km SS2 Kaguta 1, then refuel before SS3 Ankole Cow 1 (18.02km). A regroup leads into midday Service B at Mwesigwa Resort.
The 2.28km Rukaari SSS Track 1 and its repeat run will close Friday’s itinerary of five stages. Day one offers 60km of competitive mileage within a total Leg1 route of 204.23km.
On Saturday rally drivers will compete through 127.92km and a 362.99km total. After Saturday’s Parc Fermé, cars proceed to Service D at Mwesigwa Resort before the 6.29km SS5 Robert Rukaari test and a repeat of Kaguta (SS6).
SS7 is the second pass of Ankole Cow, followed by Service E and SS8 Charles Muhangi after refueling.
SS9 Mama (21.54km) leads into midday Service F at Mwesigwa. The third runs of Kaguta and Ankole Cow serve as SS10 and SS11. SS12 Shell V-Power Stage (6.19km) is the official Power Stage, awarding bonus championship points to the fastest crews.
According to organisers, the event is round two of the FIA African Rally Championship for drivers and navigators.
