UGANDA WINS SILVER AT 2024 MXOAN IN MOROCCO

South Africa – 586
Uganda – 479
Morocco – 447
Madagascar – 223
Kenya – 212

With exceptional determination, perseverance, and commitment from all riders, the Motocross Cranes flew high to pick up silver at the 2024 FIM Africa Motocross of African Nations (MXOAN)Championship in Marrakech, Morocco.

Uganda emerged second overall after amassing a total of 479 points, behind victors South Africa, who scored 586 points. Hosts Morocco managed a third-place finish with 447 points.

It all started from home when riders promised to race their hearts out at the 2024 African Championship as they were flagged off at the National Council of Sports headquarters, Lugogo, on 23rd October 2024.

Led by their team captain, Stav Asiimwe Orland, who roared that they would beat the said powerhouses in Motocross and big glory back home, a thing he proved when he won all Nations hands down in all three heats in his MX2 class to pick a gold.

“We are a prepared army ready to beat the said big Motocross Nations in Africa,” Stav promised before the team flew to Morocco.

Racing in their captain’s footsteps, the little Cranes in MX65 restlessly rode in all three heats, consistently having two riders on the podium that pushed Uganda to the overall victory in the MX65 class.

Haruna Ramathan Mubiru, Isaac Kabera Mitima, and Isaiah Larry Sekamwa delivered outstanding performances in heat 3, with a 2-3-4 position score, enabling Uganda to ably beat off other Nations for the overall lead.

To cement their performance, Isaac Kabera posted the best lap time of one minute and 04.100 seconds in heat3.

Hellena Ainomugisha Birungi outclassed other female riders, backed by Abigail Muwanguzi, to become the first-ever Junior female MX50 Champion at Africa’s Motocross top tier.

The efforts of the Ugandan lady riders did not go to waste, as they rode to victory for the WMX Nations overall with 70 points.

Uganda, which last won in 2012 and was fifth overall in 2023, had the top overall country score in MX65(88 points) and WMX (70 points).

Uganda had exceptional individual performances in MX2 by Stav Orland, who won and defended his MX2 title; Fortune Emmanuel Ssentamu had two podiums in MX1; Gift Tabula Ssebuguzi for the final heat win in MX Lite and posted the best lap time in the same heat, Jude Kyle Musede who scored podiums in heat2&3, and Isaac Mitima in MX65.

“Despite the numerous challenges, the team did very well,” praised Federation of Motorsports Clubs of Uganda (FMU) deputy Vice president Arthur Blick Junior, who doubled as team manager at the event.

Blick added that Uganda’s performance at 2024 Mxoan is a testament to the team’s hard work and dedication.

Champions South Africa outclassed other Nations to take the overall title for yet another back-to-back win, backed up by high scores in the MX50 with 109 points, MX Lite(100 points), and MX vets & masters, where they collected 111 points.

Hosts Morocco, were able to scoop the third overall position with lead scores in MX1(101 points), MX125(76), MX2(84) and second best in MX Vets & Masters, as they didn’t field riders in some classes.

Fellow East Africans Kenya finished fifth overall, Tanzania seventh, Islanders Madagascar made it to fourth overall, and West African Ivory Coast tailed last with only seven points in the 12-Nations participated Championship.

Kenya is the next host for the 2025 Mxoan championship.