The wait for the crowning of national motorcycling and motor rally champions finally came to an end on Saturday as the motorsport governing body FMU held its Annual Awards.
The awards were a culmination of what have been hotly contested sporting seasons of 2023, 2024 and 2025.
On the night, MX rider Jamairah Makumbi, rally driver Kevin Bebeto and co-driver Diana Nagawa were the top award collectors. The trio picked the most prizes from different competition categories.
“I am glad about this. It is a good thing to be recognised for the achievement. I have had good results over the past years and hopefully we’ll get more for the future,” said Kevin Bebeto.
There were joyous celebrations at the crowning of the 2025 National rally champions, Ronald Sebuguzi and Anthony Mugambwa.
The night’s moment, though, was the celebration of Yasin Nasser and Ali Katumba.
The Moil Energies crew won the 2025 Africa Rally Championship.
It was only the second title won by a Ugandan in over two decades. Charles Muhangi and Steven Byaruhanga won the same in 1999.
The significance of the title is, however, something the Africa champion Yasin says has not been accorded the deserved recognition by FMU and the National Council for Sports.
“We are very disappointed by how we have been treated after raising our country’s flag high.”
“There has been no special recognition or treatment from the Government like what is always given to the Uganda Cranes or other athletes,” said Yasin during his award acceptance speech.
Yasin took a swipe at the federation head, Hon. James Akena, for the lack of effort to secure recognition before Uganda’s parliament.
“The FMU President fought for the MX team to be before Parliament but not with African champions. He did not even send a message to us after winning the title,” said Yasin.
In 2020, the President of Uganda, Yoweri Musevei recommended that sports personalities who perform commendably for the nation, particularly, should be recognised and rewarded.
Yasin asserted that the only satisfaction competitors get from the big investment are the symbolic recognition they receive and acknowledgements for participation.
“Failure for the symbolic recognition demoralises our efforts to promote our country and discourages other competitors who wish to invest resources in the sport we love most,” he said.
Over 100 competitors were awarded on at the FMU Gala.
Former national Rally Champion Moses Lumala received the Lifetime Achievers award, Ali Medical Services was accorded the Exceptional Contribution award.