It’s all systems go as the Mkwawa Rally revs off
MOROGORO: THE fierce chase for the African Rally Championship (ARC) title between Yassin Nasser and Samman Vohra is the top order of the Mkwawa Rally of Tanzania ahead of its flag off in Morogoro early tomorrow.
Bringing to Morogoro 23 cars from Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Burundi, Rwanda, Zambia and UK, Mkwawa Rally is the fifth and final round of this year’s African Rally Championship for 2025.
The Uganda-based Tanzanian driver, Yassin Nasser, and his Ugandan navigator, Ally Katumba, will be the first off the ramp when the Tanzanian round of ARC revs off in Morogoro early Friday.
Nasser and Katumba lead the race after collecting 114 points, and they are 8 points superior to their closest challengers: Samman Vohra from Kenya and his UK-based navigator, Dave Surrock, in a Skoda Fabia.
Besides being the fifth round of the continental level championship, Mkwawa Rally also serves as the third round of this year’s National Rally Championship (NRC).
Iringa’s Ahmed Huwel, in his hyper-fast Toyota Yaris, is also a force to reckon with in the renewed chase for the National Rally Championship, whose other contenders are Manveer Birdi, Gurpal Sandhu, and Randeep Singh, all three parading their driving skills in Mitsubishi Evos.
Jointly organized by the Automobile Association (AAT) and Mount Uluguru Motorsports Club, this spectacular event has brought to Morogoro 23 drivers from Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, Burundi, Rwanda, Zambia, and UK, and the total distance is 338km.
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.
The three-day event will be flagged off tomorrow, September 19, 2025, at the Mkwawa Tobacco processing plant before the cars heading to Tungi (Nane Nane Grounds).
On Saturday, September 20, 2025, 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.
