Gift Sebuguzi The Small Boy With A Big Throttle

By Mwambazi Lawrence

At most schools, when a teacher asks, “What do you want to be in the future?”, students say doctor, pilot, or engineer. At Mengo SS, one Form 3 student probably mutters, “Professional dirt thrower.” That student is Gift Tabula Sebuguzi, born on 27th October 2010 in Nakasero Hospital  a place known for many things, but clearly this time it was a launchpad for airborne humans on motorcycles.

Gift is the son of reigning Ugandan National Rally Champion and four-time national rally king Ronald Sebuguzi. In simple terms, motorsport didn’t just run in the family  it probably signed the hospital visitors’ book wearing racing overalls and asking for stage notes. By the time other babies were learning to crawl, Gift was probably practicing throttle control on a toy bike and blaming understeer for bumping into the sofa.

Being the second born in a family of four, competition started early. In that house, nothing is casual. Breakfast is basically a service park, school runs feel like reconnaissance, and whoever gets to the bathroom first wins the morning stage. If you grow up there, even brushing your teeth feels like a timed special stage  spit too early, you’ve jumped the start; take too long, and dad’s already asking for your split times at the sink.

Despite his father’s rally fame, Gift looked at four wheels, shook his head, and basically said, “Nah… that’s two wheels of unnecessary responsibility.” He chose motocross  the sport where the ground is more of a suggestion and mud is not dirt, it’s official racewear. Laundry day at his place doesn’t separate colors; it separates types of soil. While rally drivers are busy calculating braking points, Gift is out there calculating airtime. Rally cars slide through corners… motocross riders simply leave the planet for a few seconds and come back like, “Yep, still gravity, still working.” Clearly, the boy didn’t just want speed  he wanted frequent flyer miles and possibly his own airspace.

At family gatherings, his dad talks about horsepower. Gift talks about hang time. Dad discusses tire wear; Gift discusses how long he was waving at spectators while airborne. And when people ask why he didn’t follow the four-wheel path, he probably just smiles and says, “Traffic is less up here.”

His motocross journey kicked off in 2015 at just four years old on a KTM 50cc bought by his dad. While other kids were learning to tie shoelaces, Gift was learning throttle control. It took him about a year and a half to fully master the bike before entering his first race at Garuga. He doesn’t remember his finishing position, but honestly, at that age, just reaching the finish without stopping for juice is impressive.

He spent a year in the 50cc Junior class and casually walked away with the 2015 national championship. Just a small child collecting big trophies like they were Happy Meal toys.

In 2016, he moved up to the 50cc Senior class and found himself in serious battles with Izabelah, Malcom Omoding, and Mubaraka Senogga. These races were less “friendly competition” and more “see you at the next corner if you survive.” By 2018, Gift had fought his way to the top and became champion. Somewhere in there, he probably also grew tall enough for his feet to finally touch the ground properly.

Then came 2019 and an upgrade to a KTM 65cc. New bike, bigger engine, same fearless rider. While some racers take time adjusting, Gift adjusted like he’d just switched TV channels. He went on to win the 65cc national championship that very year. At this point, other riders were starting to check his birth certificate just to be sure.

Then 2020 arrived with COVID, and suddenly the loudest thing in motocross was silence. Bikes were parked. Helmets gathered dust. Riders had to do the unthinkable: sit still. For a kid used to flying over jumps, that must have felt like being grounded by the entire planet.

When racing returned in 2022, Gift upgraded to an 85cc GasGas. But just four weeks before MXON in Garuga, he suffered a serious ankle injury in practice. Plaster on, crutches out, bike parked. Most people would say, “See you next season.” Gift said, “See you in two weeks.” The plaster came off shortly before the event, he lined up, raced… and won. Because apparently, bones are optional accessories in his career.

From there, his trophy cabinet started needing structural reinforcement. Over the years, he has ridden a long list of bikes: KTM 50cc Jr, six KTM 50cc Seniors, six KTM 65ccs, Husqvarna 85cc, multiple KTM and GasGas 85ccs, KTM 125, Yamaha 125, and Yamaha 250cc. The main difference between all these machines? Different model years  and increasingly painful bills. Motocross is the only sport where your bike might need school fees too.

His achievements are just as loud as his engines. He’s a multiple-time national champion across classes, won his first international MXON in 2022, and in 2023 claimed both the National and East Africa 85cc titles. That same year at the World Juniors in Romania, he broke both legs. Yes, both. Most people would retire to a sofa permanently. Gift recovered in two months and returned to win again in Masaka. At this point, even injuries are scared of him.

In 2024, he added the 125cc National and East Africa championships to his growing list. Then 2025 turned into a full Sebuguzi family festival: his dad won the National Rally Championship, Gift won the 125cc national title, and his little sister Tiana grabbed the 50cc Junior championship. Family dinners must sound like a motorsport awards ceremony with food.

Of course, it hasn’t all been smooth riding. Gift has broken several bones over the years and dealt with the heartbreak of bike breakdowns at the worst possible moments. Motocross machines have a special talent for choosing the most important race of the year to suddenly develop “feelings.” But every setback has only made him tougher, faster, and more determined.

His dream bike is a Yamaha 450cc  a machine so powerful it doesn’t just start, it announces itself. And when Gift finally lines up on one, don’t be surprised if the track needs a seatbelt.

Looking ahead, he sees a bright future for Ugandan motocross, with rising stars like Jude Kyle Musede, Paul Musede, Ramathan Mubiru, Jonathan Katende, and Abigail Katende coming through. This season, Gift steps into both the 125cc and 250cc national championships, with plans to compete in South Africa and redeem himself at MXON in Namibia.

And that’s what truly defines Gift Tabula Sebuguzi. Not just the speed, the wins, or even the bravery after injuries  but the heart of a young rider who carries family legacy, national pride, and unstoppable belief every time he pulls on his helmet. The dust he leaves behind isn’t just from spinning wheels; it’s the mark of a dream in motion, inspiring every young rider watching from the fence that no fall is final, and no dream is too big when passion leads the way.

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