New era for Ugandan Motocross as Women’s Championship debuts
The landmark championship, the first of its kind since motocross was introduced to Uganda’s sporting calendar in the 1960s, will officially kick off this Sunday.
Swanswi Sambo. Photo by Gerald Kikulwe
Ugandan women motocross riders have ushered in a new era for the sport following the introduction of a stand-alone Women’s Motocross Championship (WMX) by the Federation of Motor Sport Clubs of Uganda (FMU), the sport’s governing authority.
The landmark championship, the first of its kind since motocross was introduced to Uganda’s sporting calendar in the 1960s, will officially kick off this Sunday at Victoria Raceway Park in Garuga as the 2026 Mountain Dew Motocross Championship season begins.
For decades, female riders in Uganda have competed alongside men locally, despite being required to field a women’s team during international competitions under Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) Africa regulations. The introduction of a dedicated WMX championship now provides local riders with a consistent competitive platform, better preparation for international events, and long-overdue recognition.
Among the standout names tipped to dominate the inaugural season is Swanswi Sambo, Uganda’s 2025 MX2 Women category winner and reigning 2024 and 2025 FIM Central African MX2 Women Champion. Since joining the sport competitively in 2017, Sambo has risen rapidly through the ranks, establishing herself as one of the region’s most formidable female motocross riders.
Speaking to Vision Sport, the 22-year-old described the championship as a transformative moment for women in Ugandan motocross. A student at Victoria University, where she is pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Sambo balances academic commitments with an increasingly demanding racing career.
She recalled Uganda’s breakthrough at the 2024 Motocross of African Nations (MXoAN) in Marrakech, Morocco, where Sharifa Kateete sealed victory in the women’s category. “That win really stayed with me. It made me realize that if FMU introduced this championship locally and we competed consistently every season, Uganda could become untouchable. Now that prayer has finally been answered,” Sambo said.
Competing under the Enduro Motocross Club and sponsored by Ryan Stationers and National Logistic Network, Sambo has set her sights on becoming the first rider to win the inaugural national WMX title. Beyond the local scene, she is targeting a third successive FIM Central African MX2 Women Championship and a podium finish at the upcoming FIM Africa Motocross of African Nations.
Riding her KTM 2023 125cc machine, nicknamed Pink Proto-15, Sambo says her long-term ambition is to transition into professional motocross in the United States or other highly competitive regions such as Australia.
“This season, there are no jokes. I am fully focused, and I will not allow any rider to finish in front of me,” she declared.
FMU Deputy Vice President for Motorcycling Arthur Blick Jr. confirmed that more than 15 female riders are expected to participate in the inaugural WMX championship. He explained that the initiative was introduced to boost competitiveness on the local motocross calendar while expanding opportunities for female riders to develop, compete, and enjoy the sport at a higher level.
“Only female riders competing from the MX 85cc category and above are eligible to take part in this championship,” Blick said. “The competition is divided into two age brackets: riders aged 10 to 13 years, and those aged 13 years and above.”