Jinja SS student wins Ateker Reunion bicycle race

Matya Maganda, a senior three student at Jinja SS in Jinja City, was among the five lucky winners of the 2024 edition of the Ateker Reunion Bicycle Race held in Soroti City ahead of the reunion festival.

The bicycle race brought together participants from several districts, including Kalaki, Pallisa, Katakwi, Kumi, and Serere. The best rider from each district received a motorcycle from Teso’s paramount chief, Paul Sande Emolot Etomeileng.

The one-day event aimed to awaken cycling passion in the region and underline the Teso community's love for the reunion festival. It is one of the biggest crowd-puller competitions in the history of the Teso people.

Maganda, 17, beat 10 other male riders from Pallisa District to win a motorcycle during the 97 km race from Pallisa headquarters to Soroti City Sports Ground.

“I want to thank God first for giving me enough strength to challenge other competitors in the race. I had been facing challenges with school fees payment, but now it's sorted,” Maganda told Vision Sports minutes after receiving a brand-new motorcycle.

According to Maganda, during his holidays, the motorcycle will facilitate him through boda boda business as a means to generate school fees.

Other lucky motorcycle winners were Joseph Alacu (Kalaki), Charles Oreta (Kumi), David Odeke (Katakwi), and Denis Elaja (Serere).

In addition to motorcycles, cash prizes of UGX 2 million and UGX 1 million were given to the first and second runners-up, while those in fourth and fifth place in each district received a smartphone.

Emorimor, while addressing the crowd that gathered at Soroti Sports Ground to witness the awarding ceremony, expressed his hope that this kind of competition will continue. He encouraged greater participation in sports and promoted physical well-being in the region.

“The decision to award motorcycles, in particular, was significant as it recognizes the importance of mobility in rural areas,” Emolot said.

According to Emolot, motorcycles are vital in rural parts of Uganda for transforming lives by helping people move easily between towns and access services.

Emolot acknowledged the critical role played by the Uganda government in supporting the Ateker Reunion Festival.

“The government of Uganda, led by Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, has given us substantial support to ensure that the event goes ahead as planned,” he said.

The ceremony was attended by ICU ministers, the RCC of Soroti City, and other political leaders.

ATEKER RE-UNION BICYCLE RACE WINNERS

Pallisa District (97 km)

Matya Maganda

Dominic Mugoda

Augustine Kapio

Kumi District (49 km)

Charles Oreta

Moses Opio

Yona Ebwangu

Serere District (52 km)

Denis Alaja

Moses Mwala

Simon Peter Elogu

Katakwi District (52 km)

David Odeke

Phillip Osairo

Sam Ekaju

Kaberamaido District (65 km)

Joseph Alacu

Thomas Egolu

Samuel Edwitu