Uganda’s Bombers found reasons to smile on Day Two of the African Boxing Championships as Ringo and Richard Kasujja advanced to the semifinals, keeping the team’s medal hopes alive despite a day of mixed results.
Kasujja delivered a commanding performance against Tanzania’s Mayosa Abdul Mohamed in the light-heavyweight category (75-80kg), securing victory by referee-stopped contest (RSC) in the second round.
The emphatic win underlined his dominance and booked his place in the penultimate stage of the competition, giving Uganda another boost as the Bombers seek to recover from an uneven start.
Ringo also progressed to the semifinals, ensuring Uganda had multiple boxers within reach of the medals as the championships entered a crucial stage.
Alfred Ojok completed a positive day for Uganda by edging Angola’s Alvelino Benjamin 3-2 to advance to the semifinals, adding another victory to the team’s tally.
However, the Bombers’ progress came alongside disappointing results in other bouts.
Women’s boxer Fatuma Nabikolo narrowly lost 3-2 to Egypt’s Mohamed Rahma in the 57-60kg category, missing out on a place in the next round after a closely contested encounter.
Ukasha Matovu endured a tougher outing, suffering a 5-0 defeat to Kenya’s Boniface Mogunde in the light-middleweight division (65-70kg).
Matovu’s loss extended Uganda’s frustrating run against Kenyan opponents after Innocent Amoko fell 4-1 to Aloice Vincent on the opening day.
The results continued a pattern of contrasting performances for Uganda, whose campaign began with Samuel Nsubuga’s convincing 5-0 victory over Benin’s Agbotoney Osias in the 50-55kg category.
Nsubuga’s opening-day triumph offered an encouraging start, but Amoko’s subsequent defeat signalled the challenges facing the team in the preliminary rounds.
On Day Two, Ringo and Kasujja’s semifinal qualifications, alongside Ojok’s narrow victory, strengthened Uganda’s campaign and kept its medal ambitions on course.