The Uganda Boxing Champions League (UBCL) roared back to life on Saturday, May 3rd, 2024, with a thunderous opening night at Club Obligato.
In a gripping return to action, Season 4 launched with a dazzling display of talent, power and determination across 25 exhilarating bouts, marking a triumphant return for Uganda’s premier boxing competition.
But the spotlight of the night fell squarely on the main event, a Light Middleweight Elite clash that re-ignited a brewing rivalry between Kololo High’s Nerrick Tumusiime, famously known as “Bulabe,” and Ashraf Mutaasa from Mutajjazi Boxing Club.
Despite the electric build-up, the anticipated war in the ring ended abruptly as Bulabe stunned the crowd with a swift first-round stoppage of Mutaasa.
With a quiet confidence, Tumusiime walked into the ring not just as a fighter but as a man on a mission to prove that his last season’s victory over Mutaasa was no fluke. He delivered with brutal efficiency.
From the opening bell, Bulabe unleashed a clinical assault, rocking Mutaasa with relentless pressure and pinpoint punches.
The referee was forced to step in before the round ended, handing Tumusiime a statement-making win.
Mutaasa, visibly sluggish in movement and slow to respond, appeared not to have grown from their previous encounter, a performance that left fans and analysts questioning his ring evolution.
“This is just the beginning,” Bulabe said post-fight, his fists still gloved.
“I came to remind everyone who I am.”
Beyond the headline bout, the night was a showcase of Uganda’s boxing depth and diversity.
In the Bantamweight Elite division, a tactical chess match unfolded between COBAP’s Benon Balyegesa and Lukanga’s Hakim Lubega.
The bout was a masterclass in timing and movement with Lubega narrowly edging out Balyegesa in a 5-2 split decision following a judges’ review.
In the Women’s Featherweight Elite division, national sensation Fatuma Nabikolo of Kololo High thrilled her supporters with a commanding victory over Shamim Nabumba of BII FIT.
Nabikolo’s sharp footwork and explosive combinations left no doubt in the judges’ minds as she cruised to a unanimous decision.
The youth divisions were not to be outdone. In the 46 kg Pinweight showdown, Kyanja’s Kyambadde Amos lit up the ring with a ferocious pace and clinical execution, dominating COBAP’s Matovu Nuhu en route to a 5-0 unanimous victory that drew loud applause.
The girls delivered just as fiercely. In the Fly 52 kg category, UPDF’s Abwooli Mwajuma battled Zebra’s Shadia Nabwire in one of the night’s most spirited contests.
Mwajuma’s stamina and sharp counters earned her a unanimous win and a beaming smile from her mother in the crowd.
Not every victory came easily. In the Junior Flyweight 50 kg division, Namugoona’s Mbuye Rashid eked out a tense 4-3 split decision over BII FIT’s Katabalwa Rodney, a result that sparked lively debate among fans long after the final bell.
In the Elite Male Bantamweight bracket, KCCA’s Ochien Samuel edged out UPDF’s Japyem James 5-2 after a review with Ochien’s jab and ring generalship just enough to tilt the scale in his favor.
Meanwhile, in the Women’s Light Welterweight Elite class, UPDF’s Namutebi Erina imposed her will on COBAP’s resilient Atuhaire Hazel.
With composed aggression and flawless technique, Erina claimed a dominant 5-0 win, adding her name to the list of experienced but still growing female stars to watch this season.
Other bouts on the night included;
Fly 51 Kgs – Youth
- Mugerwa Simon (Lukanga) 5-0 Nsubuga Titus (Namugoona)
Featherweight Elite
- Mulungi Kassim (East Coast) 5-0 Kiggundu Leon (Lukanga)
- Kimuli Henry (Mutajjazi) 5-0 Mukiibi Bashir (Nakawa)
Middleweight Elite
- Ojok Alfred (Kyanja) stopped Walugembe Emma in Round Two
Light Weight 60 Kgs Elite
- Adriko Jimmy (KCCA) 5-0 Lubega Derrick (EastCoast)
Light Welterweight 63.5 Elite
- Faharat Manirola (Lukanga) 5-0 Kaddu Julius (Katabi)
Light Welterweight 63 kgs Elite
- Muleme Denis (COBAP) 0-5 Amoko Innocent (UPDF)
Fly 51 Kgs Elite
- Matovu Livingstone (Brawn) 5-0 Abdul Hakim (UPDF)
Bantamweight – Women Elite
- Nadia Najjembe (Kyengera) 4-1 Adong Judith (Katwe)
Week two of the competition will be boxed out on 17th May at Club Obligato
