The very anticipated motocross event of the year, the FIM Motocross of African Nations (MXOAN) has been officially launched. The event was held at Speke Resort Munyonyo on 17 August 2022. This comes after the inspection of the Garuga raceway track by FIM/FIA delegates; the track was greenlighted and is set to host the momentous event.
This event has been long awaited and is set to be the highlight for motocross lovers here at home. The event was meant to take place two years back but was postponed due to the Covid 19 pandemic. The newly appointed Minister of State Peter Ogwang officially launched the event and said he was proud to have it as one of his first duties. The Mountain Dew FIM Africa Motocross of African Nations returns after ten years to Uganda, the country last hosted in 2012 and speed lovers are ecstatic that it is coming back.
The final riders representing Uganda will be announced after passing scrutineering at the Victoria race way park on 19 August 2022 end of the day. Uganda as a team unfortunately will be at a loss as Maxim Van Pee pulled out from participating due to work commitments; the team was counting on him to be among the strong pillars for Uganda. The Orland brothers will not be participating as well, due to commitment to another event. Uganda needs a win and the more podium finishes in each category, the better.
The Federation of Motorsport Uganda (FMU) has covered the license fees for all Ugandan riders, they were meant to pay 185 Euros which would have been quite costly to the riders and parents. Dubbed the “African cup of motocross”, team Uganda is set to take on the other African countries competing; Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Morocco, and Botswana. Congo dropped out from the competition. Among the talented riders representing team Uganda for the start are Alestair Arthur Blick, Fortune Ssentamu, Kylan Wekesa, Miguel Katende, Jonathan Katende, Fatuh Kiggundu, Anthony Benders, Gift Ssebuguzi, Apollo Milton Obote, Jerome Mubiru, Mubarak Senoga, Ron Young, Jamairah Makumbi, Filbert Muwonge, Liam Ntale, Leonelle Ntale among others. The women representing will be Shamillah Kateete, Shadia Kateete, Sharifah Kateete, Rose Deedan, Haelga Kugonza, Abigail Mwangala.
The two-day event kicks off Saturday, 20 August, 2022 with practice in the morning and one heat in the afternoon, then the last two heats on Sunday.
