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Uganda's national boxing team, the Bombers, have had little to smile about at the ongoing Africa Elite Men's and Women's Championships in Yaounde, Cameroon.
Uganda is represented by eleven male boxers and six female boxers in the championships.
However, despite the significant representation, there must be more to smile about in the Bombers camp, as the majority fell short in their opening bouts.
The Little to Smile About
Only two boxers have so far registered victories in the ring. The most significant, Ronald Okello stormed the middleweight semi-finals, thus securing a medal bracket finish.
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He won by split 3:2 against Obama Mangue of Equatorial Guinea.
Wasswa Ssali won by split 3:2 against Kenya's Irungu Maina in the lightweight category as he stormed into the quarterfinals. He is one bout away from the medal brackets.
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Grace Nankinga (light flyweight), Solomon Geko (Heavyweight), and Erinah Namutebi (light welterweight) are assured of medals after they were drawn in the medal brackets.
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They could storm the final and win either gold or silver if they progress past the semi-finals (bronze medal). The semi-finalists will start trading leather on August 2.
Bombers who struggled to detonate
Newcomer Khassim Mulungi was outpointed by defending featherweight champion Armando Sigauque of Mozambique. Mulungi showed glimpses of brilliance but did not score enough as Sigauque edged him 3:2.
In the light-heavyweight category, Kenya's Robert Okaka subjected Idriisa Mukiibi to two standing counts and has also sent him to canvas. Mukiibi would be saved from unnecessary punishment by the referee as Okaka took the day by RSC.
Bombers captain Joshua Tukamuhebwa failed to break the jinx against tormentor Collin Richarno of Mauritius. In their third meeting in the last four years, Tukamuhebwa has been on the losing end, and the story was no different in Yaounde.
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Richardson has previously won 5-0 against Tukamuhebwa at the 2019 Rabat Africa Games, Morocco, and 2022 Africa Elite Men's and Women's Championships, and Maputo quarterfinals. He further extended his dominance over the Ugandan captain in the light welter category.
In the lightweight category, Zaharah Nandawula lost the quarterfinal bout by RSC in the first round against Hajila Khelif of Algeria.
Bantamweight pugilist Najemba Nadia lost her quarterfinals bout by split 3:2 against Algeria's Abdelkader Fatima.
Cruiserweight boxer Kayiwa Lawrence lost on his international debut by RSC in the first round against an experienced Congolese Landu Mbeli Nathan.
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