The 2026 Mountain Gorilla Rally is set to mark another milestone for women in African motorsport, with a record number of female competitors expected to take part in this year's event. The rally will feature four female drivers, up from just one in 2025, and six female co-drivers, compared to four in last year's edition. The growing female representation reflects the steady progress being made in a discipline traditionally dominated by men, with competitors from Rwanda, Uganda and Kenya set to contest the FIA African Rally Championship (ARC) round in Bugesera from July 10 to 12. Among the women behind the wheel are Rwanda's Queen Kalimpinya, Uganda's two-time national rally champion Susan Muwonge, Kenya's Tinashe Gatimu, and Lisa Christoffersen, founder of Africa's first all-women rally team. 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 increasingly important role women are playing across every aspect of rally competition. ALSO READ: Home heroes eye national title boost at 2026 Mountain Gorilla Rally For Rwanda's Queen Kalimpinya, the increasing number of women on the entry list is one of the biggest victories of this year's rally. It's something to celebrate. The number of women taking part shows how much rallying is growing in Rwanda, Kalimpinya said ahead of the event, where she will also be aiming to retain the Best Female Driver award. Fresh from winning the ARC2 category at the Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally, Kalimpinya believes the growing female participation reflects the progress being made in motorsport across the region. Among those making their Mountain Gorilla Rally debut is Uganda's Susan Muwonge, a two-time national rally champion and the only woman to have won the Ugandan National Rally Championship. For Muwonge, competing in Rwanda represents another important step in her career. It is a great honour and privilege to compete in the 2026 Mountain Gorilla Rally. Rwanda has become one of the most exciting motorsport destinations in the region, and I am grateful for the opportunity to represent Uganda on such a competitive stage, she said. ALSO READ: Five drivers to watch at 2026 Mountain Gorilla Rally Muwonge, who will be navigated by Nsubuga Musa, said her primary goal extends beyond chasing a podium finish. My objective is to finish the rally safely, perform consistently and give my very best. Every rally is a learning experience, and I hope to improve my pace while achieving a respectable result. Although it will be her first competitive appearance in Rwanda, she has already heard plenty about the event. I've heard great things about the Mountain Gorilla Rally—the challenging stages, excellent organisation and the incredible passion of the Rwandan motorsport fans. She also hopes her participation will inspire more women and girls to pursue careers in motorsport. Competing alongside some of Africa's top drivers shows that women can compete successfully in motorsport. I hope my participation inspires more girls and women to believe in themselves and pursue their dreams. ALSO READ: Africa's top rally stars set to headline 2026 Mountain Gorilla Rally Driving for change Christoffersen arrives in Rwanda with ambitions that go far beyond the competition. In 2022, she co-founded The Lioness Rally Team—Africa's first all-women Safari Rally crew—alongside co-driver Christabell Mwangi. For Christoffersen, every rally is an opportunity to challenge stereotypes and inspire change. We drive for change. Every rally we race is a metaphor for life's journey—full of twists, turns and obstacles that demand focus, teamwork and faith in your own strength, she said. The team's impact extends beyond motorsport. On their journey to Rwanda, the Lioness Rally Team will stop in Uganda to visit an underprivileged girls' school, where they will mentor students and encourage them to pursue their ambitions. This journey is not just about motorsport. It is about rewriting narratives for women and girls across Africa. Of course I want to compete for good results, but I am equally committed to that bigger purpose. She believes investing in women in motorsport is ultimately an investment in future generations. When women rise, communities thrive. Victory beyond the podium While the battle for championship points is expected to dominate the headlines, the record female participation adds another compelling dimension to this year's Mountain Gorilla Rally. From established competitors like Queen Kalimpinya and Susan Muwonge to trailblazing initiatives such as the Lioness Rally Team, the event highlights the growing influence of women in shaping the future of African motorsport
