MTN Busoga Cycling Championship Heats Up Across Chiefdoms
The second edition of the MTN Busoga Masaza Cycling Championship roared into action over
the weekend, with thrilling preliminary races held across several chiefdoms. The event
showcased the spirit and unity of the Busoga region, as passionate crowds cheered on
competitors aiming to qualify for the grand finale slated for February 15th, 2025, in Jinja City.
Bulamogi Chiefdom Sets the Pace
Excitement gripped Bulamogi Chiefdom, Kaliro District, on Saturday, January 18th, 2025, as
residents lined the roads to witness the cyclists battle it out for glory. The qualifiers were flagged
off at Namukooge Trading Centre, taking participants through a challenging route
encompassing Lumbuye, Bulumba, Bumaana, Nankoola, and Kaliro Town Council before
returning to Namukooge.
The competition featured two categories: Tippa (Gaali Ensoga) and Mountain Sport Bikes.
Kisambira Yazid triumphed in the Tippa category, followed by Naikamba Daniel, Basalirwa
Asumani, Magala Jamiru, and Kawuba Sadam. In the Mountain Sport Bike category, Mukisa
Amos took first place, with Baluwa Bernard and Oloyi Paul rounding out the top three. The top
two finishers in each category secured spots in the finals and received cash prizes handed out
by Busoga Kingdom’s Minister of Sports, Owekitiibwa Amin Bbosa, who lauded MTN for its
partnership with the kingdom.
Luuka Chiefdom Delivers Drama
The cycling fever continued in Luuka Chiefdom, where another set of qualifiers captivated the
locals. In the Tippa category, Andrew Musitwa emerged victorious, with Rashid Mulondo,
Basalirwa Abbasa, Kamadha Nyiro, and Bogere Andrew completing the top five. Meanwhile, the
Mountain Sport Bike competition saw Mensuramu Magemeso claim top honors, closely followed
by Kiwanuka Musirimu, Bikumbi Geoffrey, Awuye Paul, and Young Lawrence.
High-Octane Action in Bunhole-Bunhanumba and Bukooli
Day two of the qualifiers on Sunday saw breathtaking races in Bunhole-Bunhanumba and
Bukooli Chiefdoms, despite challenging humid and dusty conditions. In Bunhole-Bunhanumba,
22-year-old Nelson Lukakamwa stole the show in the Mountain Sport Bike category, completing
the 75km race in 1 hour, 24 minutes, and 8 seconds. His strategy to lead from start to finish paid
off, earning him victory over local favorite Ben Masaba by just 15 seconds. “My training has
improved my speed, and I’m now targeting a top-three finish in the finals,” said Lukakamwa.
Lukakamwa and Masaba will be joined by Tippa category winners Bashir Damba and Ivan
Waiswa as Bunhole-Bunhanumba’s representatives. Chiefdom coordinator Dan Kalema urged
the qualified cyclists to enhance their speed and train on more challenging routes to compete at
the highest level.
In Bukooli Chiefdom, the 2022 Tippa champion Tiff Luganda showcased his dominance,
clinching first place ahead of Sam Malinzi, Jolly Igogo, and Banuli Byanguwa. The Mountain
Sport Bike race saw Asuman Mwondha and Tanansi Bogere secure qualification with stellar
performances.
Busoga Kingdom’s Sports Minister Amin Bbosa (L) handing over a cash prize of sh100,000 to Mukisa Amos (R) who emerged winner in the Mountain Bike category during the Bulamogi chiefdom bicycle race.
MTN and the Spirit of BusogaMTN’s Marketing Manager, Dennis Harindimana, expressed delight at the enthusiasm displayed
by the participants and the unifying spirit of sports. “I have witnessed the passion Busoga
residents have for sports, and MTN is proud to support this initiative,” he said. The
championship’s organizing committee emphasized discipline and commitment as key to
success, urging participants to maintain focus as they prepare for the finals.
With representatives from Bulamogi, Luuka, Bunhole-Bunhanumba, and Bukooli Chiefdoms
confirmed, all eyes now turn to Jinja City for the grand finale. The stage is set for an electrifying
showdown as the region’s top cyclists vie for ultimate glory in the MTN Busoga Masaza Cycling
Championship.
