The growth rate and engagement of women in motocross is quite impressive for Uganda that’s in line with hosting two international events in 2022.

At race fronts, in the Junior classes, Abigail Katende took command of 50CC Jnrs waiting to be crowned champion.

She(Katende) didn’t easily sail through to winning a class title on a total of 285 points but had fierce battles with Faith Deedan and Mary Nakabugo until the last round.

This saw Abigail scope two tittles, as the best 50cc Jnr and best lady rider for the same class.

Battling with boys in the 50cc elite, Jamairah Makumbi proved mightier until the last race, when she only lost the title by nine points to class victor Filbert Muwonge who gunned a total of 279 points.
Muwonge got into a nail-biting situation when Makumbi won the second heat, and could only best breathe when he won the last heat of the three.

Abigail Mwagala had a clean sheet celebrating her title victory in 65CC ladies as she had no direct competitor, but try to match the top boys in 65.

The Lato Milk-sponsored Katende brothers, seemed unbeatable in 65 categories, as they dominated the 1-2 positions in almost all the season races,2021.

More talent prospects were witnessed in 85 with Jerome Mubiru dominating, and Shamilah Kateete commanding ladies, as her big sister Shadia Kateete commanded 125 categories.

Kylan Wekesa was fully blazing all season in 125CC, Paddy Roldin Blick in MX2 as his elder brother Alestair Blick Jnr who also juggles around motor rally navigation with their father Arthur Blick Jnr won MX1 title, and latter won veteran class after only participating in three races from a sabbatical.

2022 seems promising with more talents under recruitment.

Published by: FMU Media
Photography by: Innocent Mutaawe

The Ugandan motocross team is planning to utilise the Kenya National Motocross rounds as build-up ahead of the two big international events later this year.

Uganda will host the first round of the Central African Motocross challenge (CAC) in April and FIM Africa Motocross for All Nations (Mxoan) in August.

Ugandan riders will compete in the Kenyan MX round 2 scheduled for 20 February 2022.

George Ssemakula, who manages the Katende Team is optimistic the outing will be productive.

“We have two major events in the country that need more work to be done by the riders. We don’t want to be beaten at home.

“So we use every competition around us to gain some mileage,” Ssemakula who also doubles as Motocross trainer emphasised.

“We intend to do one round in Zambia as well;” said Ssemakula.

Besides the Katende team, there is a pack of other riders set to guest ride in the Kenyan event.

These include Filbert Muwonge, Jerome Mubiru, Haiden Kalisa, Jean-Manzi Winfield, and the Kugonza family that have so far been confirmed.

Filbert son to two-time National rally champion Susan Muwonge will compete in the Mx50cc, Jerome Mubiru and Telly Kugonza in Mx85, Trevor Kugonza in Mx125 while the Katende Brothers Miguel and Jonathan together with Haiden Kalisa and Jean-Manzi Winfield will compete in Mx65.

On return from the Kenyan round, the focus will be on the National Motocross Championship event at Garuga on 6 March.

The round two event was launched this week at the Attitude Lounge, Nalya.

The launch was graced by two stunt riders Ashim Sserwada and Robert Jingo aka ‘digital’ who demonstrated their skills, and later called on their fans to turn up in big numbers.

Published by: Frank Kaheesi

Photography by: FMU Media

On Sunday 30th January 2022, the Official Ugandan National motocross championship revved off in high gear with hair-raising displays at the Victoria Raceway track in Garuga.

The 50cc juniors to the 85 elite classes brought in a new breed of riders. These included Abigail Katende, sister to the Lato milk-sponsored Katende brothers, Miguel Katende proved mightier in 65cc, Filbert Muwonge, son to two-time National rally champion Susan Muwonge and Jerome Mubiru.

Abigail Katende dominated the 50cc junior lady category winning all three heats to cap the day’s effort with 60 points.

Muwonge got his best breath in the last heat when he managed third place, after a stiff chase with Jamairah Makumbi and Ethan James Blick Jnr, son to twelve-time National Motocross champion Arthur Blick Jnr.

Makumbi had a sublime ride to finish second overall, and with it 51 points, Ethan kept it on full throttle to win the last heat. That was good enough as he salvaged the class win.

The lethal Katende brothers entertained fans and kept them on tenterhooks with their high air flying stunts as they dominated the 65cc class. They finished in the 1-2 positions, with Zion Wekesa settling for third.

Jerome Mubiru took command of the 85cc class by winning all three heats.

Mubarak Ssenoga managed second place, with Ron Young sealing the podium slot.
Rahmah Nakachwa, the only lady rider in 65cc, garnered 60 points.

Despite the chase for points, the high blazing performance from Miguel Katende and Alestair Blick Jnr excited fans. Miguel threw in something in the mix as he raced against Veterans and gave them a run for their money.

Another lady rider that had the fans cheering was Rose Deedan Turinawe, a mother of two riders (Faith Angel Deedan and Aine Faith Deedan). She also put up good performances in the respective classes.

Officials are keen on building a formidable Ugandan team ahead of this year’s international engagement; the FIM Central African Motocross championship to be held in April and the FIM Motocross of All African Nations slated for August.

The second of the National motocross round is slated for 6th March 2022, at Victoria Raceway track, Garuga.

Published by: Frank Kaheesi
Photography by: Innocent Mutaawe

The 42 days country covid 19 lockdown has further affected sport, with Uganda set to host the continental motocross championship asking for a postponement.

The 2021 Motocross of African Nations (MXOAN) was set for August 6th-8th, 2021 at Victoria Raceway Park at Garuga.

With the 42 days lockdown, ending on 30th July, just a week before the event, organisers have already requested the continental governing body, FIM Africa to extend the event to a further date like three months later, as the covid wave settles down.

However, it is not clear whether the President will extend the lockdown at the end of 42 days.

“We are consulting with FIM Africa on a new date that will be pronounced,” said Kisitu Mayanja, FMU Vice President Motorcycling.

Mayanja who also doubles as the local jury member to the African commission explained that it is unfortunate that even sponsors are still on the fence, with none coming out openly as they target numbers at such big events.

“As a technical arm of the Federation, we have played our part, only waiting for FIM Africa to clear us,” further explained Mayanja.

Amongst other things awaiting clearance from FIM Africa, is the rule interpretation involved in the extension of the event. FIM Africa rule states, the continental event shall be held in the month of July or August every year.

Uganda was set to host the continental event in 2020 but it did not happen as covid broke out and led to the initial lockdown globally. The pandemic has continued to affect sport calendars all around the world.

Published by: FMU Media