Over 5.5 billion shillings set to be blown out as WRC Safari rally fevers sweeps through Ugandan fans

BY FRANK KAHEESI & HENRY MBAZIIRA

The tempo is building up as over 10,000 Ugandan rally enthusiasts prepare to cross the Kenya-Uganda border from March 17th, 2025, to attend the highly anticipated WRC Safari Rally.

This year’s event, which doubles as the first round of the African Rally Championship 2025, has been generating immense excitement among Ugandan fans since its reinstatement on the World Rally Championship calendar in 2021.

As participating crews fine-tune their preparations, Ugandan fans are busy making travel arrangements, with some sourcing tour vehicles while others make advance payments to secure their spots in travel groups.

The cost of transport to and from Kenya ranges from 300,000 to 350,000 shillings per person, excluding food and accommodation for the week-long adventure.

According to estimates, an average Ugandan fan will spend between US$250-300, which translates to a significant boost to the Kenyan economy, with projected earnings of 194 million Kenyan shillings (approximately Ug.Shs 5.5bn). This figure does not include expenses incurred on tourism activities, shopping, and other incidentals.

In preparation for their trip, fans are stocking up on non-perishable food items, such as Irish and sweet potatoes, matooke, rice, and other essentials.

They also purchase meat products, including chicken, goat meat, and beef, from highway stalls and butchers.

Jimmy Emaru, chief coordinator of Rally Hunters Uganda, revealed that his organization has three teams traveling to the WRC Safari Rally, with an advanced team departing on March 15th, 2025.

The teams will explore various tourist sites, including historical locations in Mombasa and Nairobi.

“What drives us most is a passion for the sport that motivates fans to spend their last penny to attend the rally,” Emaru explained.

He added that, “Rally Hunters’ objectives include promoting passion, safety, and tourism. The organization has secured subsidized travel buses from Friends Coaches and free tickets courtesy of Magical Kenya”.

Mululi Moses and Kirunda Muzafalu, avid rally enthusiasts, are among those traveling to the WRC Safari Rally by private means. “We have already booked our hotel rooms in Naivasha for six days,” Kirunda said.

This year, Uganda will be represented by two crews: the Moil-sponsored team of Yasin Nasser and Ali Katumba, competing in their rebuilt rally2 Ford Fiesta R5, and the crew of Timothy Gawaya and Francis Wamala, participating in the Kenyan National category classification.