By Frank Kaheesi-
Uganda’s motocross team, the Cranes, soared to a remarkable third-place finish at the FIM-Africa Motocross of African Nations (MXoAN) held in Harare, Zimbabwe, proudly bringing home bronze after a weekend of action.
The Ugandans battled against some of Africa’s best, securing 284 points to cement their spot on the podium. Hosts Zimbabwe claimed silver with 468 points, while the ever-dominant South Africa reigned supreme with 717 points, sweeping multiple categories including MX50, MX65, MX Elite, MX125, MX2, and WMX.
For Uganda, the podium finish was further sweetened by historic victories in the junior ladies’ categories. Rising stars Hellena Birungi Ainomugisha and Jamairah Makumbi struck gold in MX50 Ladies and MX65 Ladies,
Uganda’s junior ranks proved unstoppable, taking all three podium places in both MX50 Ladies and MX65 Ladies. In MX50, Abigail Katende secured second while Abigail Muwanguzi clinched third. In MX65, Faith Angel Deedan and Joy Norah Akao followed Makumbi to complete a clean sweep.
Birungi’s performance was especially noteworthy as she not only defended her 2024 African Women’s Championship title but also competed head-to-head with boys in the mixed 50CC race, finishing an impressive 12th overall.
Other standout contributors included Jaysen Katek, Isreal Mpuga, Alber Muwanguzi, and Janan Makumbi, all of whom added crucial points for the Cranes. In the MX125 class, team captain Gift Tabula Ssebuguzi displayed unshakable consistency, finishing fifth in all three heats.
Uganda also fielded strong riders across various categories: Ethan Paul and Jude Musedde in MX65, Miguel and Jonathan Katende alongside Ethan Katek in MX Elite, while Waleed Omar and Wazir Ali Omar battled in MX2 and MX1, respectively.
FMU Deputy Vice President of Motorcycling and team manager Arthur Blick Jr. praised the squad’s grit:
“I would like to welcome back Team Uganda for achieving a successful podium finish at the continental event. Competing on a fully sandy track, unlike the hard surfaces we train on at home, was a huge challenge, but the team showed great adaptability and spirit.”
The 2025 MXoAN featured riders from eight nations, including South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana, Namibia, Madagascar, Uganda, and Kenya. With over 200 competitors across junior and senior levels, it was one of the most competitive editions in recent years.
2025 MXoAN Overall Classifications:
- South Africa 717
- Zimbabwe 468
- Uganda 284
- Namibia 281
- Botswana 159
For Uganda, this bronze medal building on last year’s silver in Marrakech, Morocco signals a steady rise in continental motocross. With young talents like Birungi and Makumbi leading the charge, the Cranes look set for even greater success when the event heads to Namibia in 2026.
After two days of action, the curtains have finally fallen on the Rally International du Burundi 2025, with Kenyan speedster Samman Vohra, co-driven by Scotsman Drew Sturrock, putting on a flawless display of rally mastery. Behind the wheel of his Skoda Fabia R5, Vohra swept all 15 stages to emerge as the overall winner, cementing his reputation as one of Africa’s fastest rising rally stars.
Vohra clocked a commanding total time of 1:44:21, a performance that not only sealed the Burundi win but also propelled him into 2nd position on the Africa Rally Championship (ARC) leaderboard with just one round left on the calendar the season finale in Tanzania.
In second place overall was Uganda’s crew of Yasin Nasser and Ali Katumba, piloting their Ford Fiesta R5. The pair finished in 1:54:59, a massive 10 minutes and 27 seconds adrift of Vohra. But for Yasin, the mission was clear from the start protect the championship lead. And he did just that. With his strategic second-place finish, Yasin now stands just one event away from being crowned 2025 African Rally Champion.
Tanzania’s Prince Nyerere had a rally to forget after early car troubles sidelined him from contention. However, he managed to bounce back into the top ten, finishing 9th overall and 3rd in the ARC class, keeping his hopes alive.
In the National Rally Championship (NRC) category victory went to , Rashnali Mohamed and Christophe Bigirimana, under Moil Racing colours, thrilled home fans by taking 3rd place overall in a Subaru Impreza GVB, clocking 2:02:57.
Massoud Fahd with co-driver Yunus Mohamed in a Subaru Impreza. finished 4th overall with a time of 2:07:32, securing 2nd in the NRC rankings. Rounding off the top five overall was the Subaru crew of Faida Philbert and Guy Melherbe, who clocked 2:10:39.
As the championship heads to Tanzania for the final showdown, all eyes are on the title fight. The mathematics are simple: if Yasin Nasser finishes second or higher, he will be crowned 2025 African Rally Champion the ultimate prize after a season of consistency and determination.
ARC Standings After Burundi:
- Yasin Nasser – 114 points
- Samman Vohra – 106 points
- Nikhil Sachania – 77 points
The stage is set for Tanzania. Will Nasser hold his nerve and seal the crown, or will Vohra pull off one last masterstroke? Rally fans across the continent can only wait in excitement.
By Mwambazi Lawrence
As the Shell V-Power Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally 2025 approaches, the competitive tension between Uganda and its regional counterparts is once again at the forefront. A strong contingent of six Kenyan rally crews has officially confirmed their entries, signaling a high-level challenge for top honors at this prestigious event.
Among the notable Kenyan entries is the pairing of Issa Amwari and veteran co-driver Denis Mwenda. Mwenda is no stranger to Ugandan rally fans, having made his mark during the 2014 Pearl Rally in a formidable two-wheel-drive Toyota Sprinter. Amwari, meanwhile, brings fresh energy to the rallying scene in Uganda. Together, they will campaign in a Mitsubishi Evo X — a rally machine known for its performance and reliability.
With their inclusion, the number of Kenyan crews now matches that of a full rally team, underlining their commitment to regional competition. This development adds another layer of anticipation and intensity to the event, with Kenya evidently taking this year’s Pearl Rally as an opportunity to assert its presence in East African motorsport.
Rwanda is also expected to field competitive crews, with two top drivers reportedly preparing to enter. While official confirmation is pending, their participation would further diversify the regional rivalry and raise the competitive bar.
Uganda’s own rally stalwarts are not sitting back. Ponsiano Lwakataka is set to bring his iconic Subaru N12, known as “Musota,” to the stages. Defending National Champion Yasin Nasser is preparing his Ford Fiesta Rally2, while Duncan Mubiru “Kikankane” is expected to return in strong form. Each of these drivers brings experience, speed, and a deep understanding of Uganda’s demanding terrain.
This year’s Pearl of Africa Rally will be hosted in Mbarara, a region known for its enthusiastic motorsport fans and challenging rally stages. With a blend of high-speed sections, technical corners, and the occasional rugged terrain, the rally promises to test both man and machine.
As the entry list continues to grow, the 2025 edition is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in recent memory. For the drivers, it’s not just about individual glory it’s about national pride, regional rivalry, and the enduring battle for motorsport supremacy in East Africa.