The Federation of Motorsport clubs of Uganda (FMU) held its annual awards after a four-year hiatus and awarded different drivers and riders in motorsport (rallying) and motocross for the seasons of 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022.
The awards were held on Friday, 16 December, 2022 at the Kabira Country Club in Bukoto. They celebrated the champions and runners-up in all categories across all fields in motocross and motorsport, and awards were also given to personalities that have been in motorsport for decades and those that have contributed in a special way to the sport, in journalism and humanity and overall participation.
In some of the presidential awards that were given out by the FMU president were awards to some media houses that spotlight the motorsport field like CBS FM, FUFA FM; and for his tireless contribution streaming all events live on his Hapasport page; Robert Nkolo commonly known as Rob Styles, received recognition for his dedication to the sport.
The motocross fraternity received its’ awards first and riders from all classes: Masters, Vets, MX 1, 2, 125, 85cc, 65cc, 50cc, peewee and in the Enduro championship received their awards in the first, second, and third places from 2019 to 2022.
One of Uganda’s greatest achievements in motocross this year, was Gift Tabula Ssebuguzi’s win in the FIM Africa championship back in August. Tabula is the current 85cc champion in Africa, a tremendous achievement for the young lad and Uganda. He was given a standing ovation at the awards as he received his awards.
There was a special recognition for the riders that represented Uganda in the Central African Championship (CAC) here at home and in Kenya. Uganda’s flag shined bright in Kenya with riders putting on spectacular performances and bringing home gold. Some of the riders that flew the Ugandan flag high were Miguel Katende and his brother Jonathan Katende in the 65cc coming in first and third respectively. Kylan Wekesa, Fatuh Kiggundu, Filbert Muwonge, among others.
In motorsport, different drivers took to the dais to collect their awards like Duncan Mubiru, who won the National Rally Championship in 2020/2021, Oscar Ntambi who won the 2022 2WD category in his first year of competing in the category, Ibrahim Lubega who won the Clubman Rally Championship (CRC) in 2019 among others.
The 2022 season however, only received awards of the 2WD category and the CRC category. The NRC finalists were not awarded due to the ongoing case that was filed by Ponsiano Lwakataka against Byron Rugomoka and Jonas Kansiime.
Other categories that were awarded were the National Sprint championship (2022 winners will be awarded after completion of the season on 26 December), National Autocross championship, the 4*4 challenge, and the Buggy championship.
In the new categories that were introduced this year, the Premier division was won by Ibrahim Lubega and the co-driver win went to Shakira Nabwami. The Division one winner was Jonas Kansiime and co-driver in this class award went to Ivan Tushabe. The Division two winner was Byron Rugomoka and co-driver winner was Hakim Mawanda.
In special recognition, team MOIL’s Yasin Nasser and Ali Katumba received special awards for their win in the African Rally Championship 2 (ARC 2) category and their tireless participation across the continent in the 2021 season. Nasser and Katumba were also the 2019 NRC champions. The Team is getting ready to compete in the 2023 ARC season starting soon.