Isaac Mubikirwa has a genuine opportunity of winning this year’s Mr. Uganda following Uganda Bodybuilding and Fitness Association’s decision to hand the hosting rights to Jinja, a place he’s accustomed to.
The eastern district will be hosting the competition for the first time since the association was formed three decades ago, and Mubikirwa, who was Mr. Jinja first runner-up in 2011 and won it in 2012, will see this as a chance of attaining Mr. Uganda glory for the first time in his career.
With the reigning champion Andrew Ssenoga out of the country and unlikely to be available to defend his title, Mubikirwa, who is also the current Mr. Kampala, is favorite to add to his gongs.
Why Jinja?
Since the sport’s introduction to the country in early 70s, only one district aside from Kampala has had the privilege of the hosting the competition. Lira hosted the event in 2015, and according to the Organizing Secretary Kenneth Arereng, ‘it was a success’ as it helped market the game outside Kampala.
The association is trying to ‘regionalize’ the game hence the decision to take it east of the country.
“We want to change our calendar and regionalize the event,” said Arereng. “We want to give regions the opportunity to market and promote their own. This will help us tap the raw talent and it will help promote the sport.
“We shall be having regional competitions that will act as qualifiers to the main event which is Mr. Uganda. We want to spread the sport to different regions and by doing this; we shall be marketing the game across the country.
“We have managed to create six regions which include Central, Eastern, Western, Southern, Northern and Middle-Western, and we expect to get the competitions underway next year.” He added.
Challengers
While Mubikirwa is favorite to clinch the title, it is likely that it will not be a walk in the park for the Light heavyweight bodybuilder. Bernard Byekwaso [Bantamweight 65kgs], Hassan Lumala [Lightweight 70kgs], Godfrey Lubega [Welterweight 75kgs] and Isma Mbowa [Middleweight 80kgs] will not just make appearance but come to the challenge.
Although Mubikirwa came out the overall Mr. Kampala winner, the four were winners in their respective weight categories in the last edition.
In the Miss Kampala Modeling and Fitness challenge, Irene Kasubo is the outright favorite. She outmuscled four other participants in the last edition to retain the ladies’ crown.
Mr. Uganda is scheduled for November 19, at Jinja Town Hall.