Sports 4 May 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Jonas Kansime Eager and 'Fired Up' for Rally Comeback in Mbarara
Jonas Kansime is pumped for his return to the Shell V Power Pearl of Africa Rally after a year's break, driving his upgraded Mitsubishi Evo 8 with co-driver Ronald Bukenya. He knows tough competition from top ARC contenders awaits in the three-day event featuring 12 stages totaling 201.85km. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/sports/motor-sport/kansime-feeling-fired-up-after-return-to-rally-action-5446640
Jonas Kansime is buzzing with excitement ahead of the Shell V Power Pearl of Africa Rally in Mbarara this weekend. The Mitsubishi Evo 8 racer is back after sitting out the 2025 season to overhaul his car, determined to challenge the leaders.
Paired with experienced co-driver Ronald Bukenya, who has 15 years in rallying, Kansime took a sabbatical due to past retirements. ‘We were tired of not finishing events,’ he explained, highlighting his team’s focus on reliability.
The 5-star Transporters-backed driver acknowledges the challenge from ARC frontrunners like Yasin Nasser in a Ford Fiesta R2, Karan Patel and Samman Vohra in Skoda Fabia R5s, Chana Jasmeet in a Ford Fiesta, and Ahemed Huwel in a Toyota Yaris. ‘It’s a tall order to bridge the gap to the R5 cars,’ Kansime admitted.
His career highlights include a 2014 event win in a Subaru Impreza N10 and a runner-up spot in the 2022 Jinja Kaliro Sugar rally. Last year, he placed 9th overall in the Pearl Rally before DNFs elsewhere.
This three-day ARC and NRC round kicks off Thursday with a 4.66km qualifying stage and a 3.77km shakedown at Mwesigwa Resort, followed by 12 stages covering 201.85km.
Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)