The 2025 FIM Junior Motocross World Championship is just days away, and Uganda’s rising stars are set to compete against the world’s best.
Romagné, France 5 and 6 July Riders from 38 nations
Uganda’s team FIM 125 cc: Dan Mitima, Jerome Junior Mubiru FIM 85 cc: Adam Kabuye,Isaac Mitima, Jonathan Semakula Katende, Miguel Katende FIM 65 cc: Ethan Paul Musede, Jamairah Makumbi
A word from FIM Africa President Marco Comana “It is encouraging to see young riders from South Africa and Uganda representing Africa at this level. Their drive shows the growing strength of motocross across our continent. I am especially proud to see Jamairah Makumbi lining up in the 65 cc class; her presence will motivate many young girls to follow their racing dreams. We wish the whole team the very best as they ride for their countries and for Africa.”
Let’s cheer on Uganda’s rising stars as they carry the hopes of their nation and continent!
This past Easter weekend, the FIM Central African Motocross Challenge (CAC) marked a significant milestone—20 years since its inception.
The regional event, held in Mityana District, commemorated two decades since the CAC was officially recognised by FIM Africa (then known as the Africa Motorcycling Union) in 2005.
Before its formal launch, regional motocross events were informally organised to grow the sport in East and Central Africa but lacked international recognition.
Arthur Blick Jr, FMU Deputy President for Motorcycling (DVP) and multiple-time MX champion, reflected on the series’ evolution: “I and Maina Muturi from Kenya pushed for the CAC to be recognised in 2005. At the time, I was serving my first term as DVP, and one of my early achievements was establishing the CAC series.”
He added, “Those days we didn’t even have a proper track—the first event happened in Lubiri, and we haven’t looked back since.”
The CAC series typically runs twice a year, with Uganda and Kenya each hosting one event. “Before the series, we just made informal trips to Kenya. Eventually, we formalised them and started attracting riders from across the region,” Blick explained.
The CAC has become a cornerstone of motocross development in Uganda. “These series have been a huge milestone. They introduced a point system and spurred us to improve, aiming to compete with Kenya,” he said. “In the beginning, the Kenyans were far ahead—they used to beat us easily. That forced us to work on our pace, tracks, and all aspects of the sport.”
This year’s event in Mityana was the first time the venue hosted a CAC round. Saturday featured technical checks and a practice heat, followed by heat one. The final two heats were held on Sunday.
For the first time, Kenya did not send a team, leaving Tanzania and Uganda to go head-to-head. The event also counted as Round 3 of the National Motocross Championship.
The roar of engines, the thrill of the chase, and the spirit of competition filled the air as the second round of the Mountain Dew Uganda National Motocross Championship was successfully held at Victoria Race Track. Special thanks to the event sponsors: Mountain Dew, Shell Advance, Lato Milk, Worldwide Movers, Rubaga Dental Surgery, and other contributors who made this electrifying event possible. Organized by the Speedway Motorsport Club (SMOC), the event was an adrenaline pumping spectacle as riders pushed their limits to secure crucial championship points.
Roneta Ssebuguzi was on fire, strengthening her lead in the MX 50 Junior Ladies category. She now sits 19 points clear of her closest rival, Grace Deedan, making a bold statement in the championship race.
In the MX 50 Junior class, Harvey Kigundu showed no signs of slowing down, extending his lead to 117 points. Sentamu Favour put up an impressive fight, winning the second heat and securing second place with 95 points. Roneta Ssebuguzi maintained her third position with 84 points. Meanwhile, Kayira Carey and Kaye Richard had a fantastic evening, with Kaye completing the podium in third place.
Abigail Muwanguzi. photo by Lyan
The MX 50 Senior category saw an intense battle, with Israel Mpuga emerging victorious, closely chased by Abigail Katende in second place and Birungi Hellena in third. John Patrick Muwonge and Jayson Katek delivered standout performances, keeping the crowd on the edge of their seats. The championship standings saw a shake-up, with Abigail Katende now leading at 106 points, followed by Hellena Birungi with 95 points. Israel Mpuga dropped to third with 92 points, while Abigail Muwanguzi and Jayson Katek remain contenders with 80 and 72 points, respectively.
When the dust settled in the MX 65 class, Haiden Kaliisa emerged as the star of the day, seizing a golden opportunity to claim victory! The drama unfolded in the third heat when Ethan Musede, who had dominated the first two heats, lost valuable time, slipping down to third place.
Sensing the opening, Jude Kyle Musede went full throttle, pushing harder than ever, and his determination paid off with a wellcearned second place. Meanwhile, Jamairah Makumbi showcased incredible consistency throughout the round, racking up 39 points just enough to secure fourth place.
With Round 2 shaking up the standings, there’s a new leader in town Ethan Musede sits on top with 95 points, but Haiden Kaliisa is hot on his heels with 88! Not far behind, Jude Kyle Musede stays in the mix with 86 points, while Jamairah Makumbi keeps the boys in check, trailing Jude by just four points. The championship battle is heating up, and it’s game on for the next round!
The MX 85 class was pure entertainment, featuring a dominant performance by Miguel Katende, who swept all the heats and proved that his return means business. His brother Jonathan Katende followed in second place, while Jassa Ethern chased the Katende brothers to secure third place. Adam Kabuye, Ashram Makumbi, and Talha Kateete put up a strong fight. Miguel Katende took his momentum further, stepping into the deep waters of the MX1 and MX2 third heat, where he finished an impressive fifth. He is proving to be a tough rider and a force to be reckoned with.
Gift Malcom Ssebuguzi was in a league of his own in the MX 125 category, winning all heats and securing maximum points to strengthen his championship lead to 120 points. Not content with just that, he took on the MX1 and MX2 classes and finished second on the podium. Meanwhile, the battle between Jerome Mubiru and Dan Mitima had fans cheering as the two riders put on an exhilarating show. Dan secured second place, with Jerome finishing third. Jason Burrows’ consistency saw him finish fourth, reinforcing his third-place position in the championship standings with 84 points.
The MX2 class delivered another gripping contest, with Ssendaula Jovan emerging as the winner, collecting 47 points. Habib Kiggundu took second place with 44 points, while Malcom Omoding came in third with 43 points. In the MX2 Ladies category, Swansi Sambo claimed victory, finishing ninth overall and 1st in the ladies category, with Asia Kasirye in second and Kateete Shadia in third. Despite failing to finish the first heat, Shadia made a remarkable comeback and collected 32 points.
The MX1 class was a high-speed thriller, with Maxime Van Pee and Ashim Sserwadda giving fans a breathtaking show. Van Pee finished third with 45 points, while Sserwadda claimed second place with 49 points. However, the day belonged to Sentamu Fortune, who was untouchable, winning all heats and securing 60 points. With this win, Sentamu is making his presence known in the championship race as he now chases Ashim, who leads with 109 points. Van Pee sits in second with 92 points, followed closely by Isma Mukiibi with 90 points.
The Vets class saw a dramatic turn of events as Kayira failed to finish the third heat, dropping to third place with 40 points. This allowed Ssebunya Rogers, who had been patiently pushing, to seize the victory. Ashi Young claimed second place with 41 points. The lone lady in this category, Nakiwala Arithea, continued to dominate, strengthening her lead in the Ladies category and she is third overall in the championship. Ssebunya now leads the championship standings with 114 points, with JB Achal following in second with 90 points.
Photography By: Lyan
As the dust settles on Round 2, the championship race is heating up! The third round will be a crucial battleground as riders push for more points and strive to cement their place at the top. Get ready for another adrenaline-fueled showdown!
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.
Published by: Frank Kaheesi-Head FMU Media/Henry Mbaziira-USPA Members.
Uganda has fast riders who only need a little skill-FIM MX instructor. UGANDA’S future in Motocross is promising: rubber stamps FIM Motocross instructor South Africa’s Andr’e Dearden.
Dearden is in Uganda for a week-long training of trainers (TTT) courtesy of FIM-Africa in partnership with Women in Motorcycling (WIM).
While imparting some practical skills to riders on Saturday and Sunday at Victoria RaceWay track, Garuga, Dearden confessed that he was impressed with the growth curve of Ugandan motocross. He emphasized the desire to have mentally well-prepared riders.
“Uganda has fast riders but needs a little sharpening in a few areas of riding to match other international riders,” explained André. Dearden, who has successfully been a Motocross champion and produced several champions in South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe, says they will be glad to return to Uganda for the same cause.
The educational workshop, which started on September 18th and ended on September 23rd, 2024, aimed at improving the skills of Motocross trainers in Uganda. It will produce FIM-licensed trainers who will continue supporting local riders.
Federation of Motorsports Clubs of Uganda (FMU-UG) deputy vice president of Motorcycling, Arthur Blick Junior, thanked FIM-AFRICA and WIM for their timely offer to Uganda.
It came in handy, as the country is preparing for two close international participation that include the 2024 Monster Energy Motocross of Nations (MXON) set for October 6th in the UK and the FIM-AFRICA Motocross of African Nations (MXOAN) in Marrakech, Morocco, slated for 25th-27thOctober 2024 respectively.
Just like her Husband Arthur Blick Jr., Noella Blick, a rider parent who doubles as the chairperson of WIM Africa, was humbled and honoured by WIM and FIM for the kind gesture extended to Uganda, which is another way of developing Motocross.
Counsel Paul John Musedde, a rider parent to Ethan Musedde, Edrick Musedde and Jude Kyle Musedde applauded the Federation of Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) Africa and WIM for extending such a great opportunity to Uganda.
“As parents, we are indeed pleased with the training that has been extended to us and our rider trainers,” happily intimated Musedde, one of the parents who attended.
I feel great, having been trained by a world-class Instructor, André Dearden. I have learnt a lot from his teaching, confessed Milton Akaki, one of Uganda’s riders for the MXOAN.
FIM Africa has for years conducted similar training programs in other African countries, including South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, and now East Africa, Kenya, and Uganda, the latest beneficiaries.
Published by: Frank Kaheesi-Head FMU Media Commission.
