Team Uganda will send 100 cyclists to Nairobi, Kenya, this weekend as they seek to maintain their strong performance in the annual Jubilee Live Free Bike Race.
The 55th edition of the race is scheduled for Sunday at Uhuru Gardens, Nairobi, bringing together cyclists from across the region and beyond.
Team Uganda chef de mission Lance Ismael Ssebayiga said the team is prepared to compete in all the major categories, including the Main Race, Black Mamba, Women and Para Cycling events.
“We are ready for this edition. Our riders have been training hard and we are hoping to win in different categories,” Ssebayiga said.
Uganda has dominated several categories in recent editions of the race. Ssebayiga said the team is taking 100 cyclists to Nairobi, including more than 58 riders in the Main Race and 28 in the Black Mamba category, alongside cyclists in the women’s and para categories.
Among the riders expected to represent Uganda are Lawrence Lorot, Mugalu Shafiq, Miiro Paul, Biyinzika Davis and Hatim Kagaba.
Jordan Schleck Ssekanwagi, who won the inaugural race in 2019, returned to the top last year, while Uganda also recorded strong performances in other categories.
In the Black Mamba category, Uganda had a clean sweep last year, with Willy Kato, Dominik Mugonda and Aziz Ssempijja taking gold, silver and bronze respectively. Augustine Ssebulime won silver in the Para category, while Maria Aleper finished second in the women’s main race.
Ssebayiga said the competition is expected to be tougher this year, with cyclists from Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo expected to participate, alongside riders from other countries, including South Africa.
He said Uganda’s riders have also prepared for changes to the race route, with some travelling to Kenya to familiarise themselves with the course.
“The route has changed, but we have shared it with all our riders and they know where they will race. Some of them have even gone to Kenya to test the course,” Ssebayiga said.
The team is receiving financial and logistical support from Jubilee Insurance Uganda, which has committed UGX 33 million towards Uganda’s participation this year.
The sponsorship covers support for the riders’ travel from Kampala to Nairobi, accommodation and other race-related needs.
Ssebayiga thanked Jubilee Insurance for supporting Ugandan cyclists over the past four years, saying the competition has helped local riders improve their skills by competing against cyclists from across the region.
Jubilee Insurance Senior Manager for Marketing and Communications, Camilla Mindru, challenged Team Uganda to build on its previous performances and compete strongly across all categories.
“Last year, you delivered strong performances across the different categories. That is a strong foundation, but we can aim even higher this year,” Mindru said.
The race is expected to attract thousands of cyclists and will feature six categories: the Main Race, Team Race, Black Mamba, Family Fun Ride, Kiddies and Para Cyclist categories.
The event carries a total prize purse of more than UGX 100 million.
Jubilee Insurance said the race is part of its Live Free philosophy, which promotes physical activity, healthier lifestyles, sustainability and overall wellbeing.
