The Second Edition of the Armed Forces Appreciation Motocross Challenge has been launched at Kololo Independence Grounds in Kampala.
The Challenge, slated for the 27th of November 2022, is organized as part of the Armed Forces Appreciation Championship whose inaugural championship was held in 2019 but was halted due to the effects of the global COVID-19 pandemic.
Speaking at the launch on behalf of the Chief of Defence Forces, Gen Wilson Mbadi, the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) Joint Chief of Staff (JCOS), Maj Gen Leopold Kyanda, noted that it is a great honour for the Armed Forces to attract attention and recognition of the public and show their contribution to the social economic transformation of Uganda other than preserving security.
UPDF Joint Chief of Staff Maj Gen Leopold Kyanda being welcomed by the chief organiser of the motocross championship Mr Mbarrack Orland
“Indeed, this honour is in line with our historical and cherished, strategic civil-military relations which, on the part of the UPDF, is not a mean achievement and in a similar vein continues to be emulated by other sister security forces such as; the Uganda Police Force, Uganda Prisons Service, and the Uganda Wildlife Authority, among others,” Maj Gen Kyanda remarked on Wednesday.
He thanked the organisers, sponsors, partners and fans for making sure that the second edition of the Armed Forces Motocross championship happens.
The JCOS emphasized that as Armed Forces, they expect to strengthen and consolidate their relationship with the sports fraternity and look forward to future engagements with other sports fraternities.
Maj Gen Leopold Kyanda the Joint Chief of Staff addressing the motocross participants at Kololo ceremonial grounds on 2nd November 2022
He further said that this event will signify the achievements attained so far in the country since the turbulent years after Uganda’s Independence; where people voluntarily appreciate the contribution of the Armed Forces in the development of the country which stems from the existing good leadership.
The Chief organiser of the event, Mr Barak Orland, promised a bigger and better event that will attract riders from across the World.
He called upon the general public to turn up in big numbers to show their support and appreciation towards the men and women in uniform who put their lives on the line every day to ensure peace and stability in the country.
Mr Orland Mbarrack the chief organizer of the motocross championship addressing the motocross participants at Kololo ceremonial grounds on 2nd November 2022
The Federation of Motorsport Clubs of Uganda (FMU) Deputy Vice-President, Reynold Kibira, said that the Armed Forces Appreciation Motocross Challenge is one of the biggest activities that motorsport is going to put up this year. He expressed commitment from the FMU towards ensuring that the event is run successfully.
Mr Kibira further appreciated UPDF for being active participants in motorsport activities; from the organisation, ensuring the sport is run safely and providing security.
He said all these activities are running because the men and women in uniform do not sleep in pursuit of peace and security.
R-L Col Napoleon Namaya the Deputy Commandant Military Police, Maj Gen Leopold Kyanda the Joint Chief of Staff, Toyota the MK team leader and the Managing Director of Bar aviation company
The event is sponsored by Dott services, BAR Aviation, Yamasec, Extreme Adventure Park Busika, Mountain Dew, Stanbic Bank, and Stabex International, among others.
The launch was also attended by Mr Michael Nuwagira commonly known as Toyota, the UPDF Director of Protocol Col Naboth Mwesigwa, the Deputy Defence Spokesperson Col Deo Akiiki, Director Operations Military Police Col Napoleon Namanya, riders and parents of young riders, among others.