Motocross Uganda (UMU) has awarded Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) One Hundred Million Shillings (Ug.shs 100,000,000) as a token of appreciation from the recently concluded Inaugural Armed Forces Appreciation Motocross Championship.
The event, a showpiece between international riders and locals, at the Uganda Motocross Arena (UMA) Busiika on 6th October 2019 registered a huge crowd that turned up to witness the motorbike competition amongst teams drawn from USA, Belgium, France, DRC, Israel, South Africa and the host Uganda.
The Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Gen David Muhoozi, while receiving a dummy cheque and One hundred million shillings in cash, appreciated the initiative to conduct such an event by both UPDF and Uganda Motocross, saying the event creates a lot of opportunities for having fun, channel business between persons, strengthens the bond between the military and the population, and allows networking.
The One Hundred Million shillings was proceeds collected as gate fee and from sponsors as a token to thank the UPDF for the enormous work done to secure the country and the region over a period of sustained peace, security and development.
During the Press Conference held at the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs headquarters in Mbuya, General Muhoozi emphasised that the Motocross showpiece is a great innovation and continues to bring people closer to the army and vice-versa since UPDF is a Peoples’ Army.
He commended both organizers and sponsors for being realistic to Uganda’s process of transformation.
The UPDF Chief of Staff Land Forces and Chairman Organizing Committee of the event, Maj Gen Leopold Kyanda, thanked the wanainchi who turned up for supporting the event and reiterated UPDF’s commitment towards supporting activities geared towards nation-building.
According to the President of Uganda Motocross Championship Mr. Dusman Okee, the championship provided a platform for interaction between UPDF and civilians on top of proving to the world that UPDF is truly a Pro-People Army.
He promised a better outreach next time and commended sponsors, most especially the New Vision Group for generously contributing towards the success of the event.
Both Gen Muhoozi and Mr. Okee exchanged monumentals at the event as tokens of appreciation.
The Cash award Press Conference was also attended by the UPDF Director of Strategic Communication Col Paddy Ankunda, the UPDF’s Director of protocol Col Naboth Mwesigwa, the Deputy Defence Spokesperson Lt Col Deo Akiiki, representatives from UMU, Vision Group, sponsors from Service and Computer Industries Limited (SCI) among many other guests.
During the 6th October 2019 Motocross Championship, American Ryan Surrat, Stav and Brother Alon Orland, William Blick Jr and Uganda’s Captain Maxime Van Pee, were among the world star men who participated in the ride.