Makumbi siblings shine as team Uganda returns with Bronze from FIM Africa Motocross Championship
The Makumbi siblings are among the latest members of Team Uganda to return home after representing the country at the just-concluded 2025 FIM Africa Motocross of African Nations (MXoAN) in Harare, Zimbabwe.
Jamaira Makumbi stole the show in the 65cc category, claiming 1st place, while her brother Ashram Makumbi finished 4th in the 85cc, and the youngest sibling, Janan Makumbi, secured 4th place in the 50cc Senior Ladies class.
The trio touched down at Entebbe International Airport at 3:00 AM, proudly dressed in Ugandan colors. Despite mixed feelings about the team’s overall performance, their contributions were pivotal in helping Team Uganda also known as the Motocross Cranes clinch a third-place overall finish, bringing home a bronze medal.
Uganda scored 284 points, behind South Africa (717 points) and Zimbabwe (468 points). Among the standout performances were gold medals from Hellena Birungi Ainomugisha in the MX50 Ladies category and Jamaira Makumbi in the MX65 Ladies, underscoring Uganda’s growing dominance in the junior ladies’ divisions.
Reflecting on her performance, Jamaira, Uganda’s top rider in Zimbabwe highlighted some of the challenges faced by the team. She noted that many competitors rode newer, high-performance bikes, giving them a clear edge. Furthermore, the team’s bikes were delayed at the border due to two consecutive public holidays in Uganda, leaving them little time to familiarize themselves with the track.
Jamaira, a Primary Six student, has since appealed to the Speaker of Parliament for sponsorship of a new motocross bike, stressing the need for proper equipment to compete at the highest level.
Notably, Jamaira previously finished 3rd at the Samia Motocross Event in Tanzania, a competition sponsored by the country’s President. However, she missed out on a chance to compete at the World Championship in France due to visa complications.
As Uganda celebrates its podium finish, the Makumbi siblings stand out not only for their medals but also for their resilience, determination, and the promise they continue to show on the continental motocross stage.
