KAMPALA, UGANDA: Uganda’s national motocross team has been flagged off ahead of the 2026 FIM Africa Motocross of African Nations (MXOAN), which takes place from 28 to 30 August in Windhoek, Namibia.
Former MX Lite champion Gift Tabula Ssebuguzi has been handed the mantle to lead the Motocross Cranes for the second consecutive year.
Tabula, the son of four-time National Rally Champion Ronald Ssebuguzi, guided Uganda to third place overall at last year’s championship in Zimbabwe. Uganda finished behind record continental champions South Africa and hosts Zimbabwe, who took the top two positions respectively.
Tabula is no stranger to success at continental level, having won his class at the African Nations in Garuga in 2022 and again in Marrakech, Morocco, in 2024.
PROUD FATHER
Speaking to The Observer after the team flag-off at the National Council of Sports headquarters in Lugogo, Ssebuguzi senior said he was proud to see his son rise through the ranks.
“I feel great and happy seeing my son, who enrolled as a little rider, now at a level of commanding a national team,” he said.
“I actually have two riders selected for national duty, Gift and his little sister, Ronnieta Ssebuguzi Muganzi, who will be competing in the MX 50 Ladies class. To me, it’s a blessing to have my kids serving their nation,” added a beaming Ssebuguzi.
He said he had advised his son to take care of his fellow riders and share tips where necessary.
NCS HAILS FMU
While addressing the 34-rider team assembled at Lugogo, National Council of Sports General Secretary Dr Bernard Patrick Ogwel applauded the Federation of Motorsport Clubs of Uganda (FMU) for taking the sport to different regions of the country.
Dr Ogwel also praised parents for their efforts in preparing their children to represent Uganda, even when government funding has not been available.
He was particularly pleased by the number of female riders on the team and their young age, which he said reflects FMU’s commitment to developing the sport.
Published by: By Frank Kaheesi, Head FMU Media Commission
