Motorsport Community Strengthens Safety Preparedness with Comprehensive First Aid Training
By Mwambazi Lawrence
In a sport where everyone knows how to “fix a turbo” but not a broken rib, Uganda’s motorsport community took a refreshing detour from horsepower to heart power. Over the weekend, Carol House on Bombo Road became less of a pit stop and more of a lifesaving command center, as the engines went silent and bandages replaced brake pads.
For two days, drivers, co-drivers, MX riders, devoted parents, team officials, diligent marshals, and even those diehard fans who think waving flags counts as cardio, all gathered for one mission to learn how not to panic when things go sideways.
The First Aid training, jointly organized by the Association of Motorsports Co-drivers Uganda (ASMOCU), Federation of Motorsport Uganda (FMU), and theWomen in Motorsport Uganda (WIMU), blended serious emergency skills with a touch of rally reality. By Sunday evening, participants left not only better prepared for emergencies but also with newfound respect for CPR especially after realizing it’s not as easy as it looks in movies.
The sessions covered everything from bleeding control to handling unconscious individuals, and for those who fainted during practice don’t worry, that counted as a live demo. Trainers emphasized quick response, teamwork, and clear thinking skills every co-driver wishes their driver also had when missing a junction.
Nutrition was another topic. Trainers strongly discouraged using energy drinks before or during races, warning that they can spike blood pressure under competition stress especially when combined with race-day anxiety and your co-driver shouting “LEFT FIVE MINUS” at 180 km/h.
The urgency of the training was triggered by real-life scares, including the unforgettable Gulu rally incident where a navigator fainted mid-stage due to hunger. His driver, untrained in first aid, panicked and reportedly radioed in saying, “My co-driver has retired before the car!” Thankfully, he recovered, but the incident was the final push for FMU and ASMOCU to bring medical awareness to the forefront.
“Motorsport is full of surprises and not all of them come with champagne,” said Zubedah Ali, one of the program organizers. “This training is about being ready when the unexpected happens. Whether it’s a crash, dehydration, or exhaustion, every second counts. The first person to help might not be a doctor it might be your teammate, your mechanic, or even the fan who came for selfies.”
Meanwhile “Siraj Kyambadde the project cordinator also thanked all competitors and officials for embracing Saturday’s training, noting that this was just the first of many sessions aimed at enhancing emergency response and basic medical skills. He urged everyone to continue participating in future trainings, emphasizing that safety is everyone’s responsibility.”
This two-day exercise marked the first phase of a broader four-phase safety training program an ambitious plan to ensure that Uganda’s motorsport family can handle both the thrills and the spills of the sport. With phase one successfully completed, anticipation for the next sessions is already revving high.
About The Author
