Sam Mahaba Muwonge: It is a great tiding for Uganda’s return to the Olympics, 40 years later
In the year 1984, Uganda was ably represented at the Summer Olympics that were hosted by the United States of America (USA) in Los Angeles city. The duo of Ernest Buule and Muhamad Mukasa competed in the men’s road race at Los Angeles city that was won by USA’s Alexi Grewal ahead of Steve Bauer […] The post Sam Mahaba Muwonge: It is a great tiding for Uganda’s return to the Olympics, 40 years later appeared first on Kawowo Sports.
JoriPress
In the year 1984, Uganda was ably represented at the Summer Olympics that were hosted by the United States of America (USA) in Los Angeles city.
The duo of Ernest Buule and Muhamad Mukasa competed in the men’s road race at Los Angeles city that was won by USA’s Alexi Grewal ahead of Steve Bauer (Canada) and Dag Otto Lauritzen (Norway).
It is 40 years later that Uganda was represented in cycling event at the Paris 2024 Olympics in France by road cyclist, Charles Kagimu.
Kagimu endured against the all the odds to complete the race, finishing in the 77th position where 13 other riders failed to return.
Uganda Cycling Association (UCA) president Samuel Mahaba Muwonge is humbled by Kagimu’s feat of completing the grueling race.
“For Kagimu to complete this tough race, it was a blessing. It was a result of hardwork and good preparations” Muwonge states.
He cites the drought since 1984 to a combination of factors; hinting mainly to the failure to have modern cycling gear in place.
“It has been a long way since we competed at the Olympics. We have not been having modern cycling equipment to match up with the fast transcending trends in the sport” Muwonge noted.
He lauds the Uganda Olympic Committee and National Council of Sports for the brave effort to secure a state-of-art bike for Kagimu.
In Kagimu, Uganda had a formidable competitor coming to the competition with two back-to-back gold medals in the Africa ITT event in 2023 and 2024.
The 25-year-old currently ranks 14th with 173 points and has greatly improved thanks from his effortless endeavors by the national coach Ishaka Bukenya.
“Kagimu is dedicated and has really put in a lot of effort in training to see that he gets where he is today” Bukenya revealed.
Born to Deo Kasule and Betty Nayiga, Kagimu tags the opportunity to represent the Uganda at the Olympics as a blessing from God and a tale of endless work-outs.
“This is a dream come true. It is a blessing to Cycle at the Olympics and I tried to deliver to the best of my expectations. I had trained very well but got sick a few days to the event. All the same, I was able to cycle and complete the race.” the cyclist echoed.
His cycling journey commenced as far back as 2014 in Kampala and competed in domestic competitions.
In 2015, he landed the golden opportunity to attend the UCI cycling camp in Kigali, Rwanda where he embarked in further education and specialized cycling training.
Two year later, he joined the Kenya Riders Cycling club which introduced him to professional cycling teams as Bike Aid (Germany), Pro-Touch (Germany) and lately Amani (Gravel Team) from January to June last year.
Muwonge, a long serving Cycling administrator narrates the early founding days of the association.
“Uganda Cycling Association was founded in the early 60’s. During that time, cycling events were only done between sub-counties (Magombolola) and YMCA. We have come a long way” Muwonge who is christened Mahaba recounts.
Uganda has produced notable cyclists as the Late Gabriel Lawrence Owino (first president of UCA), late Gen. Francis Nyangweso and Late Joe Nsubuga Musoke.
Others were the Late G.W Bukenya (National Insurance), Late Sebaana Kizito, Edward Senkwangu Sewagudde, Ali Pablo (also a former referee), Muhammad Mubiru (represented Uganda at the Christ Church, Commonwealth Games in England), Late Ibrahim Mugerwa, Late Muhammed Mukasa, among others.
Whereas it has been a long wait for the Olympics, Uganda has ably taken part in the Commonwealth Games.
Muwonge appreciates the Government of Uganda, Uganda Olympic Committee (NCS), National Council of Sports (NCS) and a number of stakeholders as Muhamad Toban, Mukalazi Technical services, YMCA, Jinja Motors Nabugabo, Donut Kananula, Paul Sherwen (Late) and Bosco Mukiibi, among others for the collective team effort to make Cycling what it is in the country today.
Kagimu race in Paris city on 3rd August 2024 will surely reopen the doors for many budding cyclists back at home.
The post Sam Mahaba Muwonge: It is a great tiding for Uganda’s return to the Olympics, 40 years later appeared first on Kawowo Sports.
