STS-Gym’s Daniel Mwesigwa shrugged off tough competition to win the Mr. Kampala Bodybuilding Championships title for the first time, at Qibs Gym, Kikaaya on Saturday.

Competing in the lightweight, the 24-year old muscleman beat five other finalists including the defending champion Godfrey Lubega, and four others in his division to claim the title, competed for annually.

Mwesigwa who joined the sport in 2013 and started competing in 2016, attributed the feat to early preparations and hard work.

Aksam Kisekka (left) and Daniel Mwesigwa flex muscles during the Mr. Kampala Bodybuilding Championship

“I have worked for the victory, I have prepared for a long time, and I have the experience, so it didn’t come by chance, despite going through a lot of challenges including COVID-19,” Mwesigwa said.

“Since I started out, I had always dreamt of winning, so this makes very happy because it was against strong competitors; but I was also in good shape,”

“This is like a stepping stone because I’m looking at acquiring a pro-card so my aim is to win all local tournaments so that I can get it,” Mwesigwa stated.

Before Saturday’s win Mwesigwa had managed a second place finish in the same championship in 2019 and a third place finish in last year’s Mr, Uganda championships.

Mwesigwa flexes his muscles during the Mr. Kampala Bodybuilding Championship

Former champion Lubega was shocked by the results and took long to come to terms that he had actually lost. Martin Baguli who finished third was also unhappy with his position, though he managed to congratulate the winner.

Tamale Safalu, an amputee also took part in the tournament and was given an opportunity to show off his skills in the special category.

"I am happy and glad that bodybuilders, University of Pain  and  UBFA who have encouraged  me in the tough times, I owes the  achievement to  God '', Safalu noted.

Safalu is now aiming at representing the country in the Paralympics in the future.

Uganda Body Building and Fitness Association (UBBFA) president Twaha Ddungu requested the sponsors that included; Ugreat International, Rameca Fitness Gym, Qibs Gymto stay on board ahead of the Mr Uganda championship to come later in the year. 

Para bodybuilder Safalu Tamale in action

"We are glad that we have resumed action amidst the tough times. For this championship all the bodybuilders that participated were vaccinated, the reason they could mingle on stage,” Ddungu noted.

Robert Ssentongo who was part of the jury explained like that the championship is determined on muscle mass, symmetry and balance.

"The athletes should bear with the outcomes and continue working hard  so as to put up a good display in the next  tournament," noted Ssentongo.

Mr.Kampala

Daniel Mwesigwa

Category winners

Daniel Mwesigwa (Lightweight)

Godfrey Lubega (Welter weight)

Martin Baguli  (Middleweight)

John Kalitwa  Llight-heavyweight)

Akisam Kisekka  (Bantamweight) 

Godfrey Ssekyanzi  (Heavyweight)

Men’s physique

Yakubu Bin Hassan

Para category

Safalu Tamale

Fitness

Kautharah Namujju