Sports 6 May 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Nasser Targets First ARC Points at Mbarara Rally with Home Edge
African Rally Champion Yasin Nasser and co-driver Ali Katumba aim to rebound from a weak season start by leveraging home advantage in the Shell V-Power Pearl of Africa Rally in Mbarara. They plan to maximize points in the Ford Fiesta Rally 2 that secured their title last year, while eyeing tough competition from Kenyan drivers. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/sports/motor-sport/african-champion-nasser-to-go-flat-out-in-mbarara-5449384
Uganda’s Yasin Nasser, who clinched the 2025 African Rally Championship title by a single point over Kenya’s Samman Vohra, faces a challenging title defense. After placing ninth in the season opener in Kenya, Nasser and co-driver Ali Katumba are determined to secure their first maximum points at the upcoming Shell V-Power Pearl of Africa Rally in Mbarara.
Speaking from their Mbarara base, Katumba emphasized their intent to go all out, noting the event’s record turnout of drivers. The Moil Energies team will rely on the same Ford Fiesta Rally 2 that delivered last year’s victory.
Key rivals include Karan Patel and Vohra, both experienced on Ugandan terrain—Patel in his fourth outing here and Vohra in his second. The crew is also cautious of Ahmed Huwel in a Toyota Yaris and Jasmeet Chana in a Ford Fiesta.
Katumba urged organizers to deliver flawlessly given the international field, promoting Uganda’s rally scene. On safety, they called on fans to avoid tracks, follow traffic rules, and cooperate with marshals for a secure event.
Current 2026 FIA ARC standings show Patel leading with 49 points, followed by Virani (18), Vohra (15), Chana (12), and Uganda’s Oscar Ntambi (10). Nasser’s Pearl of Africa history includes a 2023 win and multiple podiums.
Source: Daily Monitor