Challenges Kamwokya’s daughters of the Ring face as they box for survival

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Kamwokya is not for the faint-hearted. A slum settlement just outside Uganda’s bustling capital, Kampala, it’s defined by congested trenches, heaps of uncollected garbage, and staggering poverty.

According to the John Paul II Justice & Peace Centre, over 80% of households here live below the poverty line.

Yet, from this gritty maze emerges a surprising revolution—young girls boxing. Not just for sport, but for survival, dignity, and a chance at a future.

At the heart of it all is Kamwokya Boxing Club, a rugged training spot lacking even basic equipment. But what it lacks in gear, it makes up for in grit. Here, girls like 19-year-old Nyamyel Mercy are rewriting what it means to grow up female in the ghetto.

Nyamyel’s story is one of thousands, but it strikes a chord. Raised by a single mother who once feared for her safety in the ring, she rose to become a lightweight boxing champion by 16. Today, she mentors other girls, even while balancing tailoring to help support her family.

“It’s not just about boxing—it’s our way out,” says Natukunda Divota, a teenager inspired by Nyamyel. Like her, many young women face societal stigma. They’re told boxing isn’t for girls. They’re mocked as masculine or dangerous. Some are denied permission by their parents. But the narrative is changing.

Abubakar Magara, the club’s communications head, believes boxing teaches more than self-defence. “This place may look like a shack, but it’s a school of discipline and talent,” he says. Girls, he adds, often show more commitment and progress faster than boys.

The transformation isn’t without struggle. Coach Charles Ochan, once a promising amateur, gave up on his own dreams due to lack of support. Today, he nurtures young fighters like Nyamyel with what little he has—two gloves, one pad, and hope.

His plea is echoed by many in Uganda’s boxing circles: the government and boxing federation need to do more for grassroots athletes. While talents like Catherine Nanziri (Olympian), Kassim Ouma, and Justin Juuko have made headlines, countless others hang up their gloves, crushed under systemic neglect.

For now, the girls of Kamwokya fight on.

Their punches echo beyond the ring—they are blows against poverty, and prejudice. With support, they could be Uganda’s next international champions. Without it, their gloves may soon gather dust.

Uganda’s youth unemployment remains one of the highest in Africa. Sports could be part of the solution.

But for now, it’s just the sound of gloves hitting pads.