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People lining up for food during the super special stage at Mwesigwa Resorts in Kibega, Sanga
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By Our Reporter
The business community around Mbarara City is still beaming with smiles after experiencing a cash boom during the week-long Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally (POAU) event.
This was the first time Mbarara hosted the POAU Rally, which has historically been held in Kayunga and Mukono since the event’s inception in 1996.
However, with the Federation of Motorsport Uganda (FMU) choosing Mbarara for this year’s edition, the rally not only thrilled fans with top regional drivers, but also brought a significant boost to the local economy. Business owners from all walks of life pocketed substantial earnings through the sale of various goods and services.
A week after the event, hoteliers, transporters, and other business operators are still celebrating the profits made.
A week before the rally — which officially began on Monday, May 5 — most hotels in the city center had already been fully booked, as travelling fans rushed to secure accommodation and avoid last-minute shortages.
Moses Mbaine, a hotel attendant in Mbarara City, described the event as a high-revenue experience, driven by increased demand for accommodation, which led to a rise in prices.
“To tell the truth, we made more money than usual. People came in large numbers and in such a rush that we had to raise our prices due to the high demand,” Mbaine said.
Minister Chris Baryomunsi with Mbarara Women crafts group
While boda boda riders, food vendors, and other traders were busy cashing in, the event also created opportunities for a unique group of entrepreneurs.
The Mbarara City Artisans Cooperative — which deals in crafts, pottery, baking, knitting, and weaving — also benefited by showcasing distinctive handmade products that rally fans eagerly purchased, including Minister Chris Baryomunsi.
Safina Milas, the group leader, revealed how their sales skyrocketed once fans discovered the uniqueness of their products.
“We made good sales, and several people even supported us with extra cash. We’re happy because we’ve raised money to add to our capital,” she said.
Robert Mwesigwa Rukaari, one of the event sponsors and MP for Mbarara City North, expressed delight at the economic impact of the rally on local residents.
“This event has not only brought excitement but also boosted tourism in Mbarara. Most importantly, our people were able to earn money. We will continue to lobby for such events that provide income-generating opportunities,” Mwesigwa said.
Saucepans were left empty
The week-long event, which attracted 52 crews, was ultimately won by Kenya’s Karan Patel in a Skoda Fabia, after his compatriot Samman Vohra, who had led from day one, rolled out in the second-last section.
Torch Media Africa
