23 drivers draw battle lines heading to Mkwawa Rally’s rev off
MOROGORO: ALL eyes are on Yassin Nasser and Prince Charles, the two Tanzanian drivers in pole positions to claim this year’s African Rally Championship(ARC) titles heading to its flag off on Friday, September 19, 2025.
Officially going as the Mkwawa Rally of Tanzania, the three-day event serves as the fifth round of this year’s African Rally Championship and also the third round of the 2025 National Rally Champonship(NRC), according to Gwakisa Mahigi, the Chairman of Mount Uluguru Motorsports Club, the organizers of the event.
Tanzanian Yassin Nasser of Moil Team is leading the ARC title race with 114 points, followed by a Kenya wheeler, Samman Vohra, who has claimed 106 points after the end of the fourth round in Burundi.
Another Tanzanian, Prince Charles Nyerere from Arusha, is unchallenged in his bid to claim the ARC 2 title as there is no challenger reported in this season’s end-of-event.
According to Mahigi, 23 drivers from Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, Burundi, Rwanda, Zambia, and UK have confirmed their participation in the 338km continental-level event.
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Speaking to the press, Chief Organizer Dr. Mosi Makau confirmed the registration of the 23 drivers, emphasizing that the event is a key part of the ARC calendar.
He noted that some participants are also competing for the national championship title, following the previous rounds held in Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi.
Dr. Makau highlighted that this is the first time Morogoro is hosting the final leg of the ARC. Alongside the international competitors vying for the African title, several local drivers will be racing for the national trophy.
The three-day event will be flag off on September 19, 2025, at the Mkwawa Tobacco processing plant before the cars heading to Tungi (Nane Nane Grounds). On Saturday, September 20, 202,5 the cars will move to the Tanzania Forest Services (TFS) plantation area in Mkundi, featuring three stages: Stage One: 20 km, Stage Two: 12 km and Stage Three: 30 km
Each stage will be completed in two loops, and the rally will conclude on September 21 with a single loop held again in the TFS area.
“In total, the race will cover 338 kilometers over the three days. I urge residents of Morogoro and all Tanzanians to come out in large numbers to witness this thrilling event,” said Dr. Makau.
He added that the rally presents a major economic opportunity for local residents and small businesses, as it will attract visitors from both within and outside Tanzania.
Satinder Birdi, Director of Motorsport in Tanzania, revealed that other registered drivers hail from Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and India, and are expected to arrive in Morogoro ahead of the event.
Emmanuel Mhagama, representative of Mkwawa Group, the event’s title sponsor, stated that the company continues to work closely with the Ministry of Information, Culture, Arts, and Sports to promote motorsport in Tanzania.
Meanwhile, Gwakisa Mahigi, Chairman of Mount Uluguru Rally Club, which is responsible for safety at the event, urged all motorsport fans and stakeholders to follow safety guidelines to ensure the well-being of both participants and spectators.
“We’ve collaborated with various security and emergency services, including the Traffic Police, the Field Force Unit (FFU), and the Fire and Rescue Brigade, and we have arranged for first aid services on-site,” he said.
