FEDERATION of Motorsports Clubs of Uganda (FMU-UG) pours out praises to her gallant riders that participated in the FIM Junior Motocross World Championships in Bucharest, Romania.

The team which was fully funded by FMU using part of the resources coming from central government,initially comprised of riders 3 riders.

Two in 65cc and one rider in the 85cc whose entries were published on the FIM website after fulfillment of FIM requirements, that included payment of the rider licenses and meeting the prerequisite speeds for the championship.

Unfortunately one of the riders Larry Ssekamwa, in MX65 did not secure his Visa in time while the MX85 rep Malcom Gift Ssebuguzi suffered a prequalification crash.

This left him with multiple fractures ending the African Champion’s medal hopes and raising Uganda’s flag high in Romania.

Ultimately, Uganda managed to have one rider in Miguel Katende beating all the odds and hitting the final race in the MX65 category amongst the three that had travelled to Romania.

Miguel became just one of three Africans in the final race of the elite world’s fastest 40 riders, together with two South Africans.

He is set to lock horns with them again in Cape Town at the African Championship.

Uganda’s second rider in same class and younger brother to Miguel, Jonathan Katende didn’t make it through the final qualifiers.

The team returns on Tuesday morning aboard Fly Dubai with Gift Ssebuguzi who painfully watched the race proceedings in casts on both legs, returning in a wheel chair.

Nevertheless, the FMU delegation and motocross fraternity will be at Entebbe Airport to receive them.

“We are glad to have had riders represent the Country at world championships for the first time ever, that alone is big milestone, then having rider qualify into the finals is a sound out to the world that Uganda exists in motocross,” proudly spoke out, FMU Deputy Vice President Motorcycling, Kisitu Mayanja.

Mayanja added: “Our gallant riders are returning home tomorrow (Tuesday) from world championships, big thanks go out to FMU Management, for having fully facilitated the team, as we look forward to the next International competitions in Cape Town, South Africa.”

In an unprecedented move, FMU fulfilled its August 2022 declaration to send riders to the World Championships when MXOAN event secretary at the time, Mr. Rey Kibira revealed to the press that after hosting the African event.

FMU was going to focus on sending riders to the world championships. One year later, FMU President, Dipu Ruparelia and his Management Team voted to fully fund the team including airticket fares for all riders and support team, hire bikes for each rider, pay a team mechanic in Romania and take care of the team’s accommodation expenses.

This becomes the first of its kind in the history of the sport and is owed to the improved relationship between the Federation and the Government.

Uganda is set to send a team of over 60 riders to the FIM-AFRICA Motocross of African Nations( MXOAN) slated for 11th-13th August, 2023.

By Frank Kaheesi
WITH a consistent provision of big fan base on the continent and across her borders, Uganda needs to tap into the economic gains attached to rallies like WRC safari rally.

Many questions are left un answered, like what do Ugandan rally fans gain from trekking journeys to watch cross-border rallies, does their home government sponsor them, or what are the returns for their spent monies.

A confession came out of Safari rally host president,William Ruto, who was the chief Guest at the ceremonial flagg off of 2023 WRC safari rally, out poured that: He wondered why many Uganda flags were raised high at racing zone unlike the hosts.

This comes at a time, when Uganda misses to have a representative at this year edition, as the crew of Yasin Nasser and Ali Katumba withdrew their entry at last minute due to budget.

Uganda has a rich attached history to the Safari rally, with a number of her celebrated legend drivers taking part such as the lates Shekhar Mehtar who won the Safari a record 5times, Asuman Junju, Sospeter Munyegera,Charles Muhangi, Frank Nekusa,major David Ndahura, plus the living ones.

They marked their names on the Continent’s top tie event, and live to be celebrated by lovers of the sport.

It’s on record, Kenya financial gain from WRC Safari rally for 2021-22 editions through tourism and other incomes generated 456.5 million US dollars( 63 billions kenyan shillings).

The rally also generated million views on social media and global media platforms, outs Kenya at a higher pointer of tourism.

With the high addiction Ugandans have for rallying, how can they gain from the big generated income returns our neighbours reap from the Safari.

Simple answer or formulae could be, supporting crews that have compatible machines to race at WRC event.

At official flagg off car at Uhuru Park on Thursday, world champion Sebastian Ogier,confessed that; ” I can’t imagine the Love Ugandans have for rally, as the WRC Safari rally seems like their home event.”

” Can’t imagine, how someone drives his posh Mercedez Benz from Kampala, to Kenya just to watch rally, have you ever seen any Kenyan doing so,?” a kenyan police officer was heard asking a colleague with whom they were guarding VIP parking lot at Kasarani special stage.

Aday earlier, another official at shakedown in Loldia when clearing fans was heard saying; It’s the continued support these Ugandans have given that has kept the Safari live.”

When contacted on same issue, Uganda’s vice president motor rallying present at the Safari, Reynold Kibira intimated ; Rallying is like a religion in our country, we can only support our fans cause by helping out our drivers be part of Safari.

The seventh round of the World rally championship, attracted 32 entries, running for four days in and around the beautiful scenaries of Kenya with climax set for Sunday afternoon.

2008 double National rally champion Dr Ahmed Ashraf opens rallying doors for his teen sons, Ali Mohammed and Ahmed Anees Mohammed.

Mohammed ,the 2022 Uganda FIA digital rally star who represented the country at Africa Continental finals in South Africa same year, is into full rallying 2023.

The 20 year-old Mohammed, co-driven by his younger brother Ahmed Anees Mohmmedin a subaru Impreza N14 formerly driven by their father, posted impressive stage times on their long distance racing debut during the Kabalega rally.

They finished second behind the Clubman rally Championship class winner Joshua Muwanguzi, who beat them by just one minute 13.05 seconds.

“Am backing up the boys for full season racing,am left for the East African Safari classic, and have embarked on the preparations of the car am to use,” confessed Dr Ashraf, who flanked the boys at Kabalega rally flag-off.

Just as her husband, Zaira Ashraf was impressed by her sons’ perfomance at the two day event.

“The boys have been able to bring back the car intact just as their father does,more exciting with good times,” said Zaira at prize giving.

The Ali Racing team manager added, the two medical students, are planned to have enough racing time, as their father who too is a practicing medical doctor guides them.
END.
Author: Frank Kaheesi