The Uganda Cycling Association (UCA) has okayed the Mbarara bicycle race to be included on the association calendar as an annual event starting next year.
This comes after Mbarara held a successful national bicycle race that went as far as Bushenyi over the weekend.
John Richard Sseninde, the UCA vice president in charge of technical matters, confirmed that starting next year, Mbarara will have a national race, where the competitors will be awarded points for the overall national championship.
“We have agreed as the association, to have this event as an annual challenge because we want to keep Mbarara in the sport,” Sseninde said.
Sseninde’s words come after Mbarara riders under their club Trans Africa did not take part following the suspension of their member Ronald Mwebesa by UCA.
UCA president Sam Muwonge called on Mwebesa and his group to revise their behaviour and return to the competition.
Muwonge said they organised the race in Mbarara to promote the sport in Western Uganda and also select the national team for the Commonwealth Games due in Australia next year.
The 120km event that started in Mbarara town saw the riders go up to Bushenyi town and back.
13 competitors took part and Sam Sabagwanyi emerged winner, beating Joseph Mbazira and Vianney Ssekanga, who came second and third respectively, while reigning national champion Ali Mudathilu came forth.
