Over 20 crews from Rwanda, Burundi and Uganda are expected to compete in the upcoming 32^nd edition of the Rally des Milles Collines that will take place from December 11-12 in Nyamata, Bugesera District.

 According to the president of Rally Unity Club and the event manager, Gilbert Rugomwa, the two-day event will have tricky sections like sharp corners, fast tracks, and will be 70% closed road.

By Tuesday, three crews from Rwanda, nine from Uganda and six from Burundi had confirmed their entry, although Rugombwa said they expect more to register.

The confirmed Rwandan crews include; Claude Gakwaya and Jean Claude Mugabo, Jenese Semana and Jacques Semana, as well as Mayaka Serekene and Fabrice Yoto.

Day 1 on Friday will have three sections, day and night, from Golden Tulip Hotel in Nyamata to Rilima and will cover a total distance of 168.22km including the transport section that will be 92.62km.

Day 2 race will cover Nyagihunika, Kamabuye and Rilima with sections 3, 4 and 5 over a total distance of 271.06kmwith a transport (section) of 146.13km.

Rally fans will have one viewing point in Nyamata, 4 kilometres from the main road and will be able to watch the cars six times.

The race technical organiser, Serge Rusagara said, "Fans used to create their own viewing points, but for purposes of safety, we have designed a specific zone where fans can come in without accessing the competition routes and can still leave without passing through the competition routes.”

"We are very keen on safety and that is why we chose roads that are 70% closed. The race will mostly be the only event on the roads and even when it goes through villages, we are going to increase the number of security officials including National Police officers to enforce safety on the roads,” he added.

Golden Tulip is the main sponsor of the event having injected Rwf6m in cash, and will provide accommodation to all the competing drivers, their crews and the race organisers.

Aborted race in 2014

This event is the last on the national rally championship calendar. Last year’s race was cancelled after a navigator, Christophe Dusquene died after a bad accident.

Dusquene was navigating for Rwandan driver Claude Kwizera when they crashed their car in section 2 in Gakenke, Eastern Province.

The Subaru Impreza N12 skidded off the road and hit a tree directly impacting on Dusquene, who was in the right seat. The Belgian-born navigator was rushed to Gahini hospital, where he succumbed to internal bleeding. Kwizera suffered injuries to his right shoulder.