The 2026 Mountain Gorilla Rally is ready to mark one other milestone for ladies in African motorsport, with a file variety of feminine rivals anticipated to participate on this 12 months's occasion.
The rally will characteristic 4 feminine drivers, up from only one in 2025, and 6 feminine co-drivers, in comparison with 4 in final 12 months's version.
The rising feminine illustration displays the regular progress being made in a self-discipline historically dominated by males, with rivals from Rwanda, Uganda and Kenya set to contest the FIA African Rally Championship (ARC) spherical in Bugesera from July 10 to 12.
Among the many ladies behind the wheel are Rwanda's Queen Kalimpinya, Uganda's two-time nationwide rally champion Susan Muwonge, Kenya's Tinashe Gatimu, and Lisa Christoffersen, founding father of Africa's first all-women rally staff.
Supporting them from the navigator's seat are Christabell Mwangi, Caroline Gatimu, Aurore Mutesi Kayibanda, Arielle Gahigi, Sandrine Isheja, and Jessica (Jess) Mugabo, underlining the more and more necessary position ladies are taking part in throughout each facet of rally competitors.
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For Rwanda's Queen Kalimpinya, the rising variety of ladies on the entry listing is without doubt one of the largest victories of this 12 months's rally.
“It's one thing to have fun. The variety of ladies collaborating reveals how a lot rallying is rising in Rwanda,” Kalimpinya stated forward of the occasion, the place she may even be aiming to retain the Greatest Feminine Driver award.
Contemporary from profitable the ARC2 class on the Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally, Kalimpinya believes the rising feminine participation displays the progress being made in motorsport throughout the area.
Amongst these making their Mountain Gorilla Rally debut is Uganda's Susan Muwonge, a two-time nationwide rally champion and the one girl to have gained the Ugandan Nationwide Rally Championship.
For Muwonge, competing in Rwanda represents one other necessary step in her profession.
“It’s a nice honour and privilege to compete within the 2026 Mountain Gorilla Rally. Rwanda has turn into some of the thrilling motorsport locations within the area, and I’m grateful for the chance to characterize Uganda on such a aggressive stage,” she stated.
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Muwonge, who might be navigated by Nsubuga Musa, stated her major purpose extends past chasing a podium end.
“My goal is to complete the rally safely, carry out persistently and provides my easiest. Each rally is a studying expertise, and I hope to enhance my tempo whereas attaining a good end result.”
Though it is going to be her first aggressive look in Rwanda, she has already heard loads in regards to the occasion.
“I've heard nice issues in regards to the Mountain Gorilla Rally—the difficult phases, glorious organisation and the unimaginable ardour of the Rwandan motorsport followers.”
She additionally hopes her participation will encourage extra ladies and women to pursue careers in motorsport.
“Competing alongside a few of Africa's prime drivers reveals that girls can compete efficiently in motorsport. I hope my participation evokes extra women and girls to imagine in themselves and pursue their goals.”
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Driving for change
Christoffersen arrives in Rwanda with ambitions that go far past the competitors.
In 2022, she co-founded The Lioness Rally Group—Africa's first all-women Safari Rally crew—alongside co-driver Christabell Mwangi.
For Christoffersen, each rally is a chance to problem stereotypes and encourage change.
“We drive for change. Each rally we race is a metaphor for all times's journey—stuffed with twists, turns and obstacles that demand focus, teamwork and religion in your individual power,” she stated.
The staff's affect extends past motorsport.
On their journey to Rwanda, the Lioness Rally Group will cease in Uganda to go to an underprivileged women' faculty, the place they are going to mentor college students and encourage them to pursue their ambitions.
“This journey is not only about motorsport. It’s about rewriting narratives for ladies and women throughout Africa. In fact I need to compete for good outcomes, however I’m equally dedicated to that larger function.”
She believes investing in ladies in motorsport is in the end an funding in future generations.
“When ladies rise, communities thrive.”
Victory past the rostrum
Whereas the battle for championship factors is anticipated to dominate the headlines, the file feminine participation provides one other compelling dimension to this 12 months's Mountain Gorilla Rally.
From established rivals like Queen Kalimpinya and Susan Muwonge to trailblazing initiatives such because the Lioness Rally Group, the occasion highlights the rising affect of ladies in shaping the way forward for African motorsport
