Foreign riders for Shs700m Armed Forces MX in Busiika

What you need to know:

Significance. Soldat Inconnu (2008) (translated: in honour of the Unknown Soldier) which was part of a grand narrative of a new nation facing a bright future in spite of a torn past and present (Förster 2012). It was in celebration of the triumph, under the NRM leadership, over a bad 1962-86 history.

Over Shs700m (an estimated $200,000) will be spent on the Inaugural Armed Forces Appreciation MX Championship.
The event will take place at Uganda Motorsport Arena, Busiika on October 6. Foreign riders from at least 15 countries will join hosts Uganda to make a splash at the highly anticipated motocross showpiece.
Africa will be represented by six countries including Kenya, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana and organisers Uganda.
France, Germany, Belgium, Spain, Netherlands are the five nations set to have representatives from Europe, USA and Canada will have riders from the American continent whereas Israel participants will form the core of riders from Middle East.
During the launch of the event, Barak Orland, the Federation of Motorsport Clubs of Uganda (FMU) vice president in charge of motorcycling, explained that they want to bridge the gap between the Uganda Peoples Defence Forces (UPDF) and civilians. “It is important for Armed Forces (AF) and civilians to understand that we are one with a common agenda,” said Orland.
“This event will allow the AF to interact with civilians. It’s the reason why the event was launched at Kololo Airstrip where the Unknown Soldier Monument was built in remembrance of the AF that perished while trying to make certain of a bright future for Uganda.”

Proceeds to AF
Orland disclosed that all the proceeds from the event will go towards giving a face-lift and equipping AF hospitals and schools.
Arthur Blick Jr, a 11-time National MX1 champion, said it is an honour for the MX community to give back to AF.
Dusman Okee, the FMU president, thanked the UPDF for supporting motorsport and said the federation was ready to host the event in October as well as the Africa MX championship next year.
Col. Paddy Ankunda, who was the chief guest at the launch of the event said: “The AF values sports because of our past achievements. Sports has brought glory to the nation.”
National Council of Sports (NCS) General Secretary Dr Patrick Bernard Ogwel got applause from those in attendance at the presser when he revealed that the sports governing body will assist the Uganda MX team traveling to Zimbabwe for the continental meet.

UPCOMING MX EVENT
Event: Armed Forces Appreciation
Motocross Championship
Date: October 6, 2019
Venue: Uganda Motorsports Arena in
Busiika
Entrance: Shs10,000
CONFIRMED Participating NATIONS
Europe
France, Germany, Belgium, Spain,
Netherlands
Middle East
Israel
Africa
Kenya, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe,
Botswana, Uganda
Americas
USA, Canada