Uganda’s boxing team dominated the Africa Zone 3 Elite Boxing Championship in Nairobi, finishing at the top with five golds, four silvers, and six bronzes as the week-long tournament concluded on Friday.
The championship, which began on October 20, brought together fighters from 12 East and Central African nations.
Led by Head Coach Lawrence Kalyango and Assistant Abdul Tebazalwa, Uganda’s boxers impressed with composure, power, and precision from the knockout rounds, emerging as one of the standout teams.
Leading the charge was Fatuma Nabikolo, who defeated Congo’s Phoba Kerene 5–0 in the women’s 57kg final.
Moments later, Emily Nakalema overpowered Tanzania’s Salma Yahya, winning in the first round when the referee stopped the contest.
In the men’s division, Captain Kassim Murungi edged Kenya’s Phoba Kumbo Mwinyi 3–2 in the 57kg final, while Aziz Rigo beat Kenya’s Peter Abuti by the same split decision in the 92kg category.
Farahat Manirola rounded off Uganda’s gold medal haul with a 4–1 win over Congo’s Ndjibu in the 63.5kg final, highlighting the team’s technical depth.
Uganda also collected four silvers from Brenda Muduwa, Ojok Alfred, Edward Mukwaya, and Ochen Samuel, all narrowly losing 2–3 in their finals.
Six bronze medals won by Erina Namutebi, Livingstone Matovu, Alex Kanaabi, Emmanuel Tabule, Angel Katushabe, and Jimmy Adriko, showed the team’s overall strength, while Kazibwe Kato was the only Ugandan not to medal.
With a total of 15 medals, Uganda reinforced its growing dominance in the region and the success of its investment in elite boxing.
