The motocross round for 2022 started off with a show of the competitive spirit on Sunday 30 January at the Victoria raceway park at Garuga. With lato milk, biyinzika poultry farmers, Uganda lodges, skyview, fire and safety appliances, semka riding academy, baliki events as sponsors; the riders came in with a show of force and ready to battle it out for the top spot in their classes. Opening the event, were the 50cc class coming off their previous battle last year, Filbert Muwonge and Jamaira Makumbi did not hold anything back. Muwonge won the first two heats and came in third in the last heat but overall was the winner on the class with 55points. He suffered a fall in the last heat but got back on his bike and kept up with the rest. Makumbi came in second in all heats and second overall with 51points. Ethan James Blick came in third in the first two heats but took up the pace in the last heat and came in first place with a fantastic performance from him, he placed third overall with 50points just one point behind Jamaira. Closing out this class were Abdul Malik Wagaba in fourth and Faith Angel Deedan in fifth. In the 50cc juniors, Abigail Katende defended her number one spot, winning all the heats. Esther Namukwaya came in second, Abigail Muwanguzi in third and Arriella Katende with her debut on the track.
In the class with the most participants-the 65cc, crowd favorite Miguel Katende swept through the heats flawlessly and always upping his game. He keeps getting better and better and it shows in the way he competes. His brother Jonathan Katende came in second place, holding down those podium positions. Zion Wekesa came in third place after coming in second in that last heat. Ally Kimera came in fourth, Liam Ntale of the Ntale brothers closed out the top five with twelve riders competing in this class, the most in all classes.
Jerome Mubiru put on a fantastic performance in the 85cc class, which he dominated in all heats, he showed an improvement in his competitiveness as well putting a lead between him and his fellow riders. Mubarak Senoga Mayanja came in second place and Ron Young in third. Aine Keith Deedan came in fourth and newcomer Telly Kugonza closed out the top five.
Alestair Arthur Blick is stepping in the right direction with his speed and tact on the track, he put on one of the best performances after giving his competitors a head start and coming out first in all heats at remarkable speed in their MX1 class. He is shaping up to be an excellent competitor. Damba Abdul came in second and Ssemambo Mustafa closed out the top three. In the MX2 class, Ashim Sserwada came out lead, and Robert Jingo Digital in second. Raian Kambere Konstantidis suffered technical issues with his bike and did only one heat.
In the last competition of the day, the MX125 and veterans class, Arthur Blick Jr. showed the young ones how it’s done. The most decorated person in motocross still has his competitive spirit, shining in all heats in his veterans’ class. Christian Milleti in second and Andrea Marinelli in third. In the last heat, Miguel Katende took part as a guest rider alongside the vets and he held his own, keeping up with Blick right behind him. Rose Deedan was the only female to compete in the vets’ class and was supported by the females in attendance. Tony Benders was the lead in the MX125 and Milton Obote Akena came in second. Kylan Wekesa was out due to a foot injury and wasn’t able to compete in this round. These rounds are setting the precedent for the FIM Africa competions scheduled for later in August where Ugandan riders will go head to head with other African riders. The second round of motocross is slated for March 06 2022 at garuga.
