Uganda’s bodybuilding and fitness fraternity is building towards a decisive national showdown following the successful completion of three regional qualifiers ahead of the 2026 Mr Uganda Bodybuilding Grand Finale scheduled for December 12 in Kampala.
The Western, Eastern and Northern Uganda championships have already identified their leading athletes, setting the stage for a contest that will bring together the country’s finest physiques to battle for national supremacy.
The regional qualifiers are organised by Suplex Gym under manager Kisakye Denis Trinity, working alongside regional teams under the guidance of the Uganda Bodybuilding and Fitness Association (UBBFA).
The Mr and Miss Western Uganda Bodybuilding and Fitness Championship was held on August 1 at Silver Theatre in Mbarara City, where Ntale Arafat emerged overall men’s bodybuilding champion.
Gaddafi claimed the men’s physique title, while Ssemugenyi Arafat triumphed in the PWD category.
Eastern Uganda’s championship followed on September 19 at Jinja Town Hall, with Alex Majid Isabirye winning the overall men’s bodybuilding title and Kasirye Nash taking the men’s physique crown.
In Northern Uganda, Ssemakula Jaffar from Arua emerged overall men’s bodybuilding champion at the October 6 championship held at D-Plus Bar in Gulu City. Sunday, a student at Gulu University, won the men’s physique category.
Attention now shifts to the Mr and Miss Central Region Bodybuilding Championship scheduled for November 7 at Sharing Hall in Nsambya, Kampala. The event will complete the regional qualification process ahead of the national finale.
More than 40 competitors are expected to contest six weight categories at the December 12 showpiece: bantamweight, lightweight, welterweight, middleweight, light heavyweight and heavyweight.
Meanwhile, Uganda’s Muscle Cranes recently represented the country at the Body Fuel East Africa Open Championship in Nairobi, Kenya, under the leadership of delegation head Kisakye Denis Trinity.
Among the notable performers was Farouk Miyaj, who secured two silver medals in the bantamweight and masters categories.
Mr Uganda 2025 Hussein Mbajja, Eastern Region champion Alex Majid Isabirye, Central Region athlete Karungi Figo and Western Uganda’s Ssemugenyi Arafat also featured on the national delegation.
Ssemugenyi, who is deaf, claimed silver in the special category, adding an inspiring achievement to Uganda’s regional bodybuilding success.
With the Central Region qualifier approaching, the countdown to the national crown is gathering momentum.
