The future of Ugandan motocross is female and it has a name: The Katende Sisters.
Abigail and Ariella Katende are gearing up for the absolute grand finale of the 2026 Mountain Dew FMU National Motocross Championship, set for Victoria Raceway Park in Garuga on October 25, 2026. As the 7th and final round of the season, this race will decide the final national podium placements and the Katendes are coming for crowns.
Alongside their brothers Miguel and Jonathan, Abigail and Ariella form the core of a powerful third-generation motorsport family in Uganda. They have quickly risen through the ranks to become two of the most prominent young female riders in African motorsport.
Behind the scenes, their father, event clerk and team trainer George Ssemakula, has the riders in rigorous daily training — sharpening track speed, cornering control and jumping consistency before the engines roar to life for the final gate drop.
Ariella Katende enters Garuga as the definitive favourite. Riding the wave of massive international success after securing the MX50 Ladies Continental Championship title in Namibia in August, she is primed to clean up the 50cc Ladies National Championship standings on home soil.
Abigail Katende, competing in the 65cc Ladies category, is focused on repeating her dominant opening-round performance at Garuga and sealing her crown as the season wraps up. A proven champion, Abigail was honored with five individual awards at the Federation of Motorsports Uganda (FMU) annual awards ceremony in January 2026 for her outstanding performances.
Two sisters. Two classes. One mission — to close the season on top.
Garuga awaits its queens.
