Two motorcycle racers from Burundi proudly represented their country at the "East Africa Bikers Prayer" event, which took place in Uganda at the end of August 2026. This significant regional gathering, which brought together 87 participants from six different nationalities, was designed with the dual purpose of fostering regional unity and enhancing Burundi's international profile. The event served as a vibrant platform for motorcyclists from across East Africa to connect and showcase their shared passion.
Participant's Journey and Experience
Dieudonné Bizimana was one of the two dedicated participants from Burundi at the "East Africa Bikers Prayer" event, making his debut at this particular gathering. His journey to the event was an impressive feat, as he traveled approximately 1200km by motorcycle from Burundi to Uganda. Reflecting on this challenging yet rewarding experience, Bizimana shared his astonishment: "I couldn't believe I could travel approximately 1200km by motorcycle without any problems." He continued, expressing his newfound appreciation for such expeditions: "I rode from Burundi to Uganda and discovered how interesting it is, especially since it was my first time participating in such an event."
Bizimana and his colleague Pierrot Santana leveraged their shared passion for motorcycling to establish friendly relations and a sense of brotherhood with fellow riders. He specifically noted the camaraderie formed, stating, "My colleague Pierrot Santana and I had the opportunity, as Burundian racing motorcycle riders, to forge friendly relations and create brotherhood based on our two-wheelers." The event's itinerary was diverse, commencing with a prayer service held at the Eglise Communauté de la vie (Community life church) in Lungujja. Following this spiritual opening, participants engaged in a full media tour across the bustling city of Kampala, culminating in an exhilarating 40km race to Entebbe. The logistical details of the event also involved the Ugandan team, which entered Burundi via Kobero in the North and exited through Mugina in the South, further noting the cross-border nature of the gathering.
Promoting Burundi Abroad
The positive interactions at the event had tangible results, with at least one Ugandan participant deciding to visit Burundi after the event, expressing sincere appreciation for his stay. Dieudonné Bizimana showed the broader implications of such regional engagements, stating that security across the East African region is fully assured, a key factor for fostering tourism and investment. However, Bizimana also candidly identified significant challenges that currently impede Burundian bikers, including persistent fuel shortages and restrictive regulations on the circulation of racing motorcycles within the country. In an effort to mitigate these obstacles and facilitate smoother operations for motorcyclists, Dieudonné Bizimana formally requested the traffic police to facilitate motorcycle drivers and foster greater collaboration with them, aiming for a more supportive environment.
Future Engagements and Calls
A promising outcome of the event, according to Dieudonné Bizimana, is the pledge from some participants from various African countries to invest in Burundi. Bizimana enthusiastically reported, "Through the exchanges we had with other drivers from different African countries, some promised to come and invest in Burundi." He elaborated on the significance of this development, calling it "a giant step" for Burundi's economic growth and a testament to the event's potential beyond sports.
Looking ahead, Bizimana further urged the Burundian government to grant special derogations to facilitate motorcycle racing competitions within the country, advocating for policies that support the sport's development. He also made a passionate plea to families, asking them to view motorcycle rallying as a legitimate and structured sport rather than solely a dangerous activity, emphasizing the skill and dedication involved. Bizimana himself has already committed to participating in the 2027 edition of the event, which is scheduled to take place in Nairobi, demonstrating his ongoing dedication. Additionally, he issued a key call to all motorcycle racers, emphasizing the importance of wearing complete safety equipment before engaging in any race, prioritizing rider safety above all else.
Event Scope and Impact
The "East Africa Bikers Prayer" event was a multi-faceted occasion that commenced with a unifying prayer service at the Community Life Church in Lungujja. Following this, participants were given the opportunity to engage with the public and media through a dedicated tour across Kampala, enhancing visibility and interaction. The event's competitive spirit was showcased in a thrilling 40km race that stretched from Kampala to Entebé. The gathering successfully brought together participants representing six distinct nationalities: Burundi, Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, Kenya, and Nigeria, thereby significantly promoting regional interaction and fostering a sense of community among East African motorcycle enthusiasts.