The fourth round of Uganda’s motocross championship, held at the Victoria race way park at Garuga, proved tough on most riders as they prepare for the very anticipated FIM Africa championship later in August. The event that took place on Sunday, 29 May, 2022 was the fourth on the sports calendar, and even though some of the riders suffered falls, others breezed through it. The event was sponsored by Mountain Dew, Lato milk, Next media, Fire and Safety appliances, world wide movers, KTM that came on as a brand-new sponsor of motocross, and Uganda lodges that also sponsored the whole shot winners with thirty thousand shillings in mx 50, 85, 65, and 125 classes for each heat won.
In the MX 85CC class, Mubarak Senoga Mayanja came out victorious with 54points after finishing second in the first two heats and first in the last heat. The youngster put on a great performance in his class which entertained the fans in attendance. Pascal Kasozi pulled no punches as he finished in second place with 52points, he was first in the first heat, third in the second heat, and second in the last heat. This was one of the best performances by a new rider and he is one to look out for. Last year’s champion, Jerome Mubiru completed the podium in third place after a shaky last heat where he finished fourth. He scored 48points. Ron Young came in fourth place and Aine Keith Deedan closed the top five. Shamillah Kateete won the ladies class in the 85cc and in second place was new comer Haelga Asiimwe Kugonza. In the final heat in this class, Miguel Katende and his brother Jonathan Katende took part as guests and Miguel finished first ahead of the other riders as fans cheered him on.
In the class with the most entries-MX 65CC, thirteen in total, Miguel Katende held onto his first-place position which he has secured since last season and all previous heats. Miguel won the first two heats but suffered a fall in the last heat and couldn’t get his bike to start fast enough leaving him in fourth place in the last heat. He still managed to come out in first place with 53points. His brother Jonathan Katende finished in second place with 52points, he was second in the first heat, third in the second heat, and first in the last heat. New comer Ramathan Mubiru closed the podium in third place; in fourth place was Ally Kimera and closing the top five was Liam Ntale, who won all three whole shots in this class.
With the most competitive fanbases in motocross, the MX 50CC class, Filbert Muwonge won all three heats, carrying all 60points with his cheering squad hyping him all the way. In second place, also with a cheering squad of her own, was Jamairah Makumbi with 47points. She suffered in the second heat where she finished fourth but second in the first and last heat. Ethan James Blick finished third also with 47points, where he was third in the first heat, second in the second heat, and third in the last heat. In the 50CC juniors, Barungi Hellena was the lead with 57points, Abigail Katende in second place, and Abigail Muwanguzi in third.
Kylan Wekesa carried the MX 2 class, winning all three heats, putting on a competitive performance and showing growth by the events, Sendawula Jovan came in second place, after finishing third in all heats. Sharifah Kateete finished in third place after suffering a fall in the last heat, where she injured her shoulder. She managed to get back on the bike and came in sixth place in the last heat but second in the first two heats.
Alestair Blick sailed through the MX 1 class, which he has been leading since last season, with 60points, first in all heats. Ashim Sserwada came in second place and Michael Ntailo in third. In the Masters class, the honorable Jimmy James Akena won the class, and Joseph Mwangala, who drove as a guest, came second. Showing his competitive nature and growth, Akena Obote Jr. won the MX 125 class, coming in first place in all the heats and showing his growth throughout the season. Tony Benders came in second place, also putting on a good performance given he lost his father a couple of weeks back. Daryl Muhindo closed out the top three. Shadia Kateete was the only female in this class, she finished fifth.
Geoffrey Kayiira returned to compete after almost twenty years not racing; he won the Veterans class with 48points after finishing third in the first heat, fourth in the second one, and first in the last heat. In second place was Abdul Damba with 47points, and in third place was Shafiq Seki with 45points. The legendary multi champion Arthur Blick Jr. finished in fourth place after scoring a DNF in the last heat when he suffered a nasty fall that left him hospitalized for a dislocated elbow and a concussion. He was in the lead in the first and second heats though.
The next round in the motocross championship is scheduled for first week in July.
