Uganda takes the stage as NRC competitors light up Pearl Rally
Uganda’s top rally drivers thrilled home fans at last weekend’s 2026 Shell V-Power Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally, delivering a standout performance in the National Rally Championship (NRC) category. Tanzania’s Randeep Singh, navigated by Ugandan Enock Olinga in a Ford Proto, claimed NRC victory in two hours seven minutes and two seconds, narrowly edging out […] The post Uganda takes the stage as NRC competitors light up Pearl Rally appeared first on The Observer.
Black News 
Uganda’s top rally drivers thrilled home fans at last weekend’s 2026 Shell V-Power Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally, delivering a standout performance in the National Rally Championship (NRC) category.
Tanzania’s Randeep Singh, navigated by Ugandan Enock Olinga in a Ford Proto, claimed NRC victory in two hours seven minutes and two seconds, narrowly edging out Uganda’s Yasin Nasser (02:08:59) in second place.
Duncan ‘Kikankane’ Mubiru (02:08:30) completed the NRC podium, solidifying Uganda’s strong showing in the national competition.
“The NRC was extremely competitive this year, and our local drivers showed incredible skill and determination,” said an official from the Uganda Motorsport Federation.
“The fans in Mbarara were treated to a thrilling home performance.”
While Uganda’s drivers dominated the NRC, the overall rally crown went to Kenya’s Karan Patel and co-driver Tauseef Khan, who secured their third Pearl of Africa title.
Patel, driving a Škoda Fabia R5, inherited the lead on Saturday’s Leg two after overnight leader and fellow Kenyan Samman Vohra suffered a broken front driveshaft on SS10 Kaguta 3 – the same stage where Vohra retired last year.
The mechanical failure erased Vohra’s commanding lead of over eight minutes, handing Patel the advantage. Going into the final 6.19km Shell V-Power Stage, Patel held a comfortable cushion of one minute 43 seconds.
Vohra, co-driven by Drew Sturrock, managed to claw back just six seconds on the Power Stage, settling for second overall. Uganda’s Yasin Nasser and co-driver Ali Katumba rounded out the overall podium in third place, providing a memorable finish for the home crowd.
“Thanks to the team, Tauseef, and our sponsors. Pearl is always special — the fans, the stages, everything,” Patel said at the finish in Mbarara.
“After Vohra’s problem, we just had to bring it home. Three wins here now. We’re very happy.”
2026 PEARL OF AFRICA UGANDA RALLY ( NRC TOP 3)
- Randeep Singh/Enoch Olinga (Ford Proto) – 02:07:02
- Yasin Nasser/Ali Kitumba (Ford Fiesta) – 02:08:59
- Duncan ‘Kikankane’ Mubiru/Siraj Kyambadde (Ford Proto) – 02:13:27
2026 PEARL OF AFRICA UGANDA RALLY (OVERALL)
TOP 2
- Karan Patel / Tauseef Khan (Škoda Fabia R5) – 02:06:06
- Samman Vohra/Dre Sturrock (Skoda Fabia R5) – 02:04:44
The post Uganda takes the stage as NRC competitors light up Pearl Rally appeared first on The Observer.
