Uganda’s national boxing team, the Bombers, will be seeking a stronger showing on Day Two of the African Elite Boxing Championships after recording mixed fortunes in the opening session of preliminaries at the Kasarani Indoor Arena in Nairobi, Kenya.
Bantamweight boxer Samuel Nsubuga delivered Uganda’s first victory, dominating Benin’s Agbotoney Osias with a convincing 5-0 points decision in the 50-55kg category to advance to the next round.
However, Innocent Amoko suffered a setback after losing 4-1 to Kenya’s Aloice Vincent in a closely contested 60-65kg encounter, leaving Uganda with one victory and one defeat from its opening two bouts.
The Bombers will now look to build momentum when three more Ugandan boxers take to the ring during Sunday afternoon’s second session, scheduled to begin at 13:00.
Women’s light boxer Fatuma Nabikolo will be the first Ugandan in action, facing Egypt’s Rahma Mohamed in bout 10 of the 57-60kg category.
Nabikolo will be aiming to secure a victory for Uganda’s women’s contingent and advance to the next round against an Egyptian opponent expected to provide a stern examination.
Attention will then turn to the light-middleweight division, where Ukasha Matovu faces Kenya’s Boniface Mogunde in bout 14.
The East African derby presents Matovu with an opportunity to restore Uganda’s fortunes against the hosts following Amoko’s defeat to Vincent on the opening day.
With home support behind Mogunde, Matovu will need a disciplined performance to negotiate the contest and keep his championship campaign on track.
Richard Kasujja will complete Uganda’s representation in the afternoon session when he takes on Tanzania’s Mayosa Abdul Mohamed in bout 19 of the light-heavyweight category (75-80kg).
The encounter promises a physical test for Kasujja, who will be targeting victory to ensure Uganda adds to Nsubuga’s opening-day success.
Sunday’s programme features 15 bouts across seven weight categories, with regional rivalries and cross-continental contests expected to shape the early stages of the competition.
Other notable match-ups include Egypt against Nigeria, Angola against Tanzania, Rwanda against Algeria, and Kenya against Nigeria, as the participating nations continue their pursuit of places in the medal rounds.
The opening day produced seven preliminary bouts, with Rwanda’s Ntabanganyimana Valentin edging Nigeria’s Lateef Qudus 3-2, while Kenya’s Emmanuel Odhiambo defeated Angola’s Noël Luemba 4-1.
Algeria’s Ismail Bekhsis, Angola’s Bernardo Massimino and Nigeria’s Abdulwahab Abulbulramon also registered commanding 5-0 victories to progress.
For Uganda, the immediate objective is clear: build on Nsubuga’s promising start, recover from Amoko’s defeat and get all three Sunday contestants through to the next round.
With the championships unfolding under the World Boxing banner, the Bombers will be eager to turn their mixed opening into a more consistent run as the competition intensifies in Nairobi.
