Ten Kenyan drivers have already confirmed their participation of the upcoming Shell V-Power Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally scheduled for May 7-9, 2026, in Mbarara.
As Mbarara plays host to one of ARC’s Biggest Foreign Entries, a motorsport feast, it shall be noted that the event has registered the biggest international fields in recent African Rally Championship (ARC)history, the second round of the 2026 FIA African Rally Championship after the season-opening Safari Rally Kenya, and doubles as the second round of Uganda's KCB National Rally Championship.
Leading Kenya’s bumper entry are three Kenya National Rally Champions, led by Karan Patel, the 2022 Kenya champion and immediate former ARC champion, who returns behind the wheel of a Skoda Fabia R5 with Tauseef Khan to defend his Pearl crown.
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Samman Vohra, the 2024 Kenya champion, is back with Drew Sturrock seeking redemption after retiring on the final day last year. Jasmeet “Iceman” Chana, the 2023 Kenya champion, and his brother Ravi Chana make their first Uganda outing at the wheel of a Ford Fiesta R5 under ARC. c5c4
The Kenyan legion also features current ARC3 Champion Nikhil Sachania in an M-Sport prepared Ford Fiesta Rally3, Aakif Virani, who was second in ARC at Safari Rally Kenya, and Evans Kavisi with Absalom Aswani in ARC2. Joseph Gachecheh and Finnish co-driver Sofia Rantasalo will debut in Uganda in a Skoda Fabia R5 after missing the Safari due to logistics. Nairobi-based Samir Nanji is also in the Pearl mix.
In addition, the trailblazing mother-and-daughter crew of Tinashe Gatimu and Caroline Gatimu will also compete, Tinashe, 20, drives with mum Caroline navigating a Ford Fiesta Rally4 and in record, they are the first mother-daughter crew to finish the WRC Safari Rally, a feat they have replicated twice as another driver Evans Kavisi and xo driver, will be making their Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally debut in Mbarara.
The 2026 Pearl will cover 12 stages totaling 201.85 competitive kilometers out of a total of 569.16 km. Action runs through Kiruhura and Mbarara districts, with stages named after Ankole culture and heroes: Charles Muhangi, Kaguta, Ankole Cow, Moses Lumala, and Rukaari.
FIA African Rally Championship 2026 after Safari Kenya
DRIVERS
1.Karan Patel KEN 49 pts
2. Aakif Virani KEN 38 pts
3. Samman Singh Vohra KEN 37pts
4. Jasmeet Chana KEN 32pts
5 Oscar Ntambi UGA 26pts
6. Nikhil Sachania KEN 23pts
7. Naveen Pulligilla IND 20pts
8. Harpreet Singh Bhogal KEN 18pts
9. Christian Kanangire RWA 14pts
10. Yasin Nasser TAN 11pts
11. Sameer Nanji KEN 8pts
CO-DRIVERS
1. Tauseef Khan KEN 49pts
2. Zahir Shah KE KEN 38 2 38pts
3 Drew Sturrock GBR 37pts
4 Ravinder Chana KEN 32pts
5 Uthumaan Muhamadi UGA 26pts
6 Deep Patel KEN 23pts
7 Musa Sherif IND 20pts
8 Gordon Noble GBR 18pts
9 Kevin Shyaka RWA 14pts
10 Ali Katumba UGA 11pts
11 Suraj Pala KEN 8 11 8pts
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