Defence forces to provide choppers for Pearl Rally
Vivo Energy’s Poulsen signs the Shs100 million Pearl of Africa sponsorship deal yesterday. PHOTO BY JB SSENKUBUGE
What you need to know:
The event will also have two closed sections in Zion Estate, Matuuga. The total distance of the rally will be 522 Km, of which 241 Kms will be competitive.
KAMPALA- For the first time in the 16-year history of the Shell V-Power Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally, Uganda Peoples Defence Forces (UPDF) will provide two choppers to help out with safety.
The move was revealed by FMU president Jack Wavamunno during the launch of the event this week.
“We are taking safety very seriously this time. Apart from the Police and our safety marshals, we are involving the UPDF, who will provide us with two choppers for surveillance of the route,” Wavamunno announced.
While announcing the Shs100 million sponsorship package, Hans Poulsen, Vivo Energy Managing Director, said the Pearl Rally will give consumers and rally fans an opportunity to experience Shell V-Power, the formula for driving excitement.
Drunk divers face arrest
Between 2009-2011, Shell were the rally’s fuel sponsors and became title sponsors in 2012.
For his part, Assistant Inspector General of Police Andrew Sorowen warned rally fans that they will deploy the famous ‘Kawunyemu’ to arrest drunken drivers.
Earlier, David Bitalo, the clerk of the course said that they expected to attract up to 10 foreign crews, and some 30 locals, bringing the starting line up to about 40.
He also said the rally has brand new routes around the town of Ssemuto, 50 Km north of Kampala, with the main axis being the Matuuga - Ssemuto section of the Kampala – Gulu main road.
The event will also have two closed sections in Zion Estate, Matuuga. The total distance of the rally will be 522 Km, of which 241 Kms will be competitive.
The event has five different competitive sections (CS) each run twice making a total of 10 over the 2 days. The longest of which will be 37.65 Km and the shortest 14.84 Km.
