Eight-year-old Nabanjala returns to hero's welcome after historic win

Eight-year-old Ugandan motocross rider Ariella Annet Nabanjala returned home to a hero's welcome after winning the 2026 FIM-Africa Motocross of African Nations (MXoAN) Championship in Windhoek, Namibia.

From Entebbe Airport to the National Council of Sports (NCS), and later through Kampala to her club patron in Kanyanya, Nabanjala was celebrated with a convoy of supporters, sports officials, and well-wishers.

Cash, gifts, and praise followed the young champion, whose achievement at just eight years old has captured Uganda's sporting community.

Representing SMKA Riding Academy, Nabanjala won all three heats in the MX 50cc Ladies category on her African championship debut, collecting a maximum 60 points out of 60 to claim the overall title.

The two-day championship ended on August 30 at Gallina Motocross Park in Windhoek, where the young rider showed composure, consistency, and speed against Africa's best young riders.

Nabanjala was the only one of Uganda's 37 riders to win an overall gold medal, making her the country's highest individual points contributor.

She also became only the second Ugandan female rider to win the MX 50cc Ladies title, following Hellena Birungi, who won it in 2025. This means Uganda has now won the category for two years in a row.

For Uganda, the achievement is more than an individual triumph. It shows the country's growing strength and the promise of its next generation of riders.

Nabanjala currently leads the MX50cc Senior Ladies class in the national championship with 277 points from five events. With one round left, she is in a strong position to win the national title.

After a warm reception from the NCS and the Federation of Motorsport Clubs of Uganda (FMU), Nabanjala and eight other riders were hosted to a dinner by their club patron, Ponsiano Lwakataka, who rewarded them with cash envelopes.

While Nabanjala was Uganda's brightest star, she was not the only podium finisher. Asaf Natan won silver in the Masters class, while Ronieta Sebuguzi claimed bronze in the Ladies MX 50cc category.

However, the championship was marred by a setback when national captain Malcom Tabula, also known as Gift Ssebuguzi, crashed during the MX 125cc category and fractured his left arm.

Despite this, Uganda finished third overall with 379 points, securing their third consecutive podium appearance. Namibia finished second with 431 points, while South Africa won their fifth straight title.

For Uganda, the bronze medal is another milestone in their upward journey. The MX Cranes finished second in 2024 and third in 2025, extending their three-year run among Africa's top motocross nations.

At the centre of that progress now stands an eight-year-old champion. Nabanjala's perfect performance in Windhoek was not just a personal victory but a defining moment for Ugandan motocross.

As she was driven through Kampala in celebration, surrounded by cheering supporters, the message was clear: Uganda may have found one of the brightest young stars in African motocross.