George Baguma
29 Nov
29Nov

We left Kigali at around 9:30 in the morning. Our destination was Lujo Motel, located in Bugesera district. As I twisted my throttle, alongside a bunch of fellow bikers, the fusion of explosive sounds from powerful engines triggered a surge in adrenaline rush.

Most of my companions were riding massive, multicylinder tourers and ADVs with four-figure cubic capacities. Brands like BMW, Harley-Davidson, KTM, Honda, Yamaha, and Kawasaki were well represented. Also in the mix was our very own RMC’s adventure motorbike, nicknamed Indakangwa.

As our convoy made some noise, residents of the surrounding communities gathered on both sides of the highway to witness the commotion we were causing.

One crazy biker, riding a lightweight Enduro, was pulling off insane stunts like wheeling and flying over pavements and roadside drenches. He was doing all this while holding his cell phone and using his left hand to record videos. Another rider was showing off his acrobatic skills on top of a motorcycle while cruising on autopilot.

When we approached Nyabarongo River, I pulled over and joined a small group of spectators. One fancy bike after another blew past us. BMW R 1200 GS, KTM 1150 ADV, KTM 1290 Super ADV, Honda Africa Twin, Yamaha Ténéré — I got dizzy trying to recognize every model. Then came the Trike Harley-Davidson, the only three-wheeler in the pack.

Upon arrival, I kicked back and reactivated relax mode, reflecting the environment Bugesera creates on a laid-back Sunday afternoon. The rest of the bikers did the same, except the moto acrobat. He kept dashing back and forth while performing magic on two wheels. This rider put on a show for the ages. His skills are off the charts. However, the organizers stopped him because his antics were deemed dangerous. 

I applauded the decision to stop him. A motorcycle is a very unforgiving machine. We need to remind each other to ride responsibly and observe road safety regulations all the time.

This was my first group ride in about a year. The tour served a bigger purpose than simply adventure. The event was staged to commemorate the 4th edition of an event dubbed Ubuntu Bikers Run. The said event brings together adventure riders from different African countries. Their objective is to foster love, honor, and respect. In the spirit of ubuntu (humanity), bikers across the continent are preaching the gospel of unity irrespective of race, gender, and cultural background.