By Frank Kaheesi
“Rallying is like a religion in our country, we can only support our fans’ cause by helping out our drivers to be part of Safari.”
WITH a consistent provision of a big fan base on the continent and across her borders, Uganda needs to tap into the economic gains attached to rallies like the WRC safari rally. Many questions are left unanswered, like what do Ugandan rally fans gain from trekking journeys to watch cross-border rallies, does their home government sponsor them, or what are the returns for their spent monies?
A confession came out of Safari rally host president, William Ruto, who was the chief Guest at the ceremonial flag off of the 2023 WRC safari rally, out poured that: He wondered why many Uganda flags were raised high at the racing zone, unlike the hosts. This comes at a time when Uganda misses to have a representative at this year’s edition, as the crew of Yasin Nasser and Ali Katumba withdrew their entry at the last minute due to budget.
Uganda has a rich attached history to the Safari rally, with a number of her celebrated legend drivers taking part such as the late Shekhar Mehtar who won the Safari a record 5times, Asuman Junju, Sospeter Munyegera, Charles Muhangi, Frank Nekusa, major David Ndahura, plus the living ones. They marked their names on the Continent’s top tie event, and live to be celebrated by lovers of the sport.
It’s on record, Kenya’s financial gain from the WRC Safari rally for 2021-22 editions through tourism and other incomes generated 456.5 million US dollars( 63 billion Kenyan shillings). The rally also generated a million views on social media and global media platforms, outs Kenya at a higher point of tourism. With the high addiction Ugandans have for rallying, how can they gain from the big generated income returns our neighbours reap from the Safari?
A simple answer or formula could be, supporting crews that have compatible machines to race at WRC events. At the official flag-off car at Uhuru Park on Thursday, world champion Sebastian Ogier confessed; ” I can’t imagine the Love Ugandans have for rally, as the WRC Safari rally seems like their home event.” “Can’t imagine, how someone drives his posh Mercedez Benz from Kampala to Kenya just to watch the rally, have you ever seen any Kenyan doing so? ” a Kenyan police officer was heard asking a colleague with whom they were guarding a VIP parking lot at Kasarani special stage.
A day earlier, another official at shakedown in Loldia when clearing fans was heard saying; It’s the continued support these Ugandans have given that has kept the Safari live.” When contacted on the same issue, Uganda’s vice president of motor rallying present at the Safari, Reynold Kibira intimated: “Rallying is like a religion in our country, we can only support our fans’ cause by helping out our drivers to be part of Safari.”
The seventh round of the World Rally Championship, attracted 32 entries, running for four days in and around the beautiful sceneries of Kenya with the climax set for Sunday afternoon.
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