For the next four years, Dipu Ruparelia will be serving as the President of Federation of Motorsports Clubs of Uganda having garnered 36 votes beating his opponent Dusman Okee who got 14 votes.
The election took place on Saturday at Kati Kati restaurant in Lugogo. Dipu becomes the 6th FMU president since the formation of the federation in 2000.
The other contestants were Geoffrey Nsamba (11 votes) while former president Jack Wavamuno claimed 25.
Dusman Okee who previously held the office sought a reelection by using a race card campaign tool against his opponent Dipu Ruparelia whom he referred to as “that Indian.”
In his campaigns Mr Okee would be quoted urging his supporters not to vote an Indian, a sentiment that roused debate among the motorsport fans.
Using vernacular on several occasions Okee would put a query…. “Omuzannyo Musazeewo Oguwa Abayindi” meaning the game isn’t for Indians.
But Ugandans on Saturday proved to the world that a racial card couldn’t be tolerated in the game after the ‘propagator’ became the third in the race.
In other positions, Shemmy Senkatuka was elected Vice President beating Ken Kitariko and Kees Kagolo.
Jeff Kabagamba was re-elected the deputy Vice President Motorsport edging Leon Ssenyange.
Leila Mayanja will be the only female in the Management Committee after beating Reynolds Kibira to the General Secretary post.
Ernest Zziwa was re-elected the Assistant General Secretary.
Kisitu Mayanja will be the next deputy vice president motorcycling after edging George Semakula and Joseph Mwangala.
The post for Vice President Vintage was left open after the candidate Hussein Kato failed to meet requirements.