By Mwambazi Lawrence-

Celebrations roared to life as Team Uganda returned home on Wednesday from Namibia following an impressive campaign at the 2026 FIM Africa Motocross of African Nations.

The Ugandan contingent arrived back on home soil carrying an overall bronze medal, an individual African championship title and a renewed sense of confidence after once again proving Uganda’s growing strength on the continental motocross stage.

The team was received at Entebbe International Airport by Federation of Motorsport Clubs of Uganda Vice president Hajji Hamid Gombe and General Secretary Mr Raynolds Kibira, who welcomed the riders, officials, mechanics and the wider delegation after their successful continental assignment. From Entebbe, the homecoming quickly turned into a celebration as the team embarked on a procession through the city before heading to Lugogo, where they were received at the National Council of Sports.

Speaking during the reception,Mr Milton Chebet the NCS Assistant General Secretary in charge of Technical Affairs congratulated Team Uganda for its performance in Namibia and praised the riders for carrying the Ugandan flag with pride against some of Africa’s strongest motocross competitors. He also commended FMU for its continued emphasis on grassroots motocross development, stressing that investing in young riders is vital to creating a sustainable future for Ugandan motorsport.

The message reflected one of the biggest stories behind Uganda’s latest continental campaign  the increasing emergence of young riders who are being given opportunities to compete internationally, gain valuable experience and develop their skills against Africa’s best.

At the Gallina Motocross Park in Windhoek, Uganda finished third overall in Africa, behind champions South Africa and hosts Namibia. The bronze medal marked another significant achievement for Ugandan motocross and continued the country’s impressive run at the African Nations championship. Uganda finished second in 2024 before taking bronze in 2025 and now another bronze in 2026, underlining the country’s emergence as one of the continent’s consistent motocross powers.

The 2026 championship attracted around 180 riders from 10 African nations, including Uganda, Namibia, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Kenya, Angola, Madagascar, Mozambique and Senegal. For the Ugandan riders, however, the challenge was not only the strength of the opposition. The sandy surface at Gallina presented a completely different racing environment from the harder tracks that many Ugandan riders are accustomed to competing on at home. Despite the unfamiliar terrain, the Ugandan team adapted, battled through the heats and returned home with another continental podium.

Among the biggest individual highlights of the campaign was young Ugandan rider Ariella Nakitende Katende, who produced a stunning performance to win the MX50 Ladies class. Ariella was untouchable in her category, collecting a perfect 60 points out of a possible 60 to claim the African championship title. Her victory was complemented by another Ugandan success in the same class, with Ronnieta Ssebuguzi Muganzi taking third place with 43 points. The result gave Uganda both gold and bronze in the MX50 Ladies category and underlined the growing strength of female participation in Ugandan motocross.

The event also provided a major platform for Uganda’s junior riders. Among those attracting attention was 13-year-old Jude Kyle Musede, who travelled to Namibia targeting a podium finish in the MX65 class. Musede arrived with valuable continental experience and had prepared specifically for the Namibian challenge, including testing a new KTM machine before competition. He was joined in the MX65 contingent by fellow young Ugandans including Eadric Musede, Jaysen Katek, Solomon Winyi and Jerome Mulumba, while other Ugandan riders competed across the MX Lites, MX125, MX2 and MX1 classes.

The performance in Namibia also offered a powerful endorsement of FMU’s continued investment in grassroots motocross. The federation has increasingly placed emphasis on identifying young riders, giving them competitive opportunities and exposing them to international racing at an early stage. That strategy is beginning to show results, with the national team now bringing together a blend of youth, experience and developing talent.

The NCS reception therefore became more than a simple welcome-home ceremony. It was also recognition of the structures being built around Ugandan motocross and the belief that today’s junior riders can become tomorrow’s African champions. Following the reception at NCS, the delegation proceeded to Kati Kati Restaurant, where riders, officials, mechanics and members of the team were treated to a celebratory luncheon.

The smiles, handshakes and celebrations at Kati Kati reflected a team that had not only competed, but had returned home with something tangible to show for its efforts  another African podium, an individual continental champion and invaluable experience for a generation of young Ugandan riders.