In both cases, there is more than one possibility but they have slightly different meanings
1. yesterday my uncle repaired the car, while I ...
2. yesterday my uncle was repairing the car, while I ...
3. while I am eating, my mum is preparing my lunch
4. while I am eating, my mum prepares my lunch
5. while I am eating, my mum will prepare my lunch
#4 and #5 are timeless. They can be interpreted as answers to the questions:
"What does your mother do while you are eating?"
"What would your mother do while you eat?"
#1 and #2 are equally good and have the same meaning, although they "feel" different. #1 reports the fixing of the car as an event, whereas #2 reports the fixing of the car as an activity that occurred over a period of time.