Seven boxers including four medalists in last year’s Africa Championships and a bronze medal winner in African Games this year, are bound to represent Uganda in the inaugural Mandela African Boxing Cup tournament scheduled for Durban, South Africa, from April 15-21. Kololo boxing club’s Fatuma Nabikolo is the only debutant on the team that has four women and three men. The 19-year old who was named the best boxer in the 2019 schools championship was impressive at the final stage of last season’s boxing Champions league.
The stylish boxer fancies boxing behind a busy left jab, superb counter-punches, timely overhand rights and smart footwork. Nabikolo will fight in Bantam weight while Sharua Ndagire Musa, Erina Namutebi and Emilly Nakalema will fight in feather, light-welter and welter weight respectively. The men’s squad has Kasim Murungi, Wasswa Ssali, Ukasha Matovu who are fighting in feather, lightweight and welter weight respectively. Patrick Lihanda will be in charge of the team under Uganda boxing federation president Moses Muhangi as the team manager while referees and judges: Swamadu Kitunzi and Rudolf Abbas will also be part of the contingent.