From a 687km bus ride to continental glory: The Bombers' story of resilience

From enduring a gruelling 687km bus journey to Kenya, to having Uganda's first-ever female gold medallist at a competitive continental boxing championship, and to recording the country's best-ever performance at the Africa Boxing Championship.

The national boxing team, the Bombers, have a story worthy of a movie.

Uganda's historic campaign at the inaugural Africa Boxing Championship (ABC), held at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, in Nairobi, Kenya, from October 15–23, was one of resilience, determination and record-breaking achievement.

Despite the logistical challenges and a turbulent build-up that saw Uganda send two parallel teams to two separate continental championships organised by competing international boxing bodies — World Boxing (WB) and the International Boxing Association (IBA) — in Kenya and DR Congo, the Bombers rose above the odds to deliver the country's best-ever performance at the Africa Boxing Championship.

The Bombers in Nairobi refused to let the off-ring battles derail their mission.

Having travelled by bus, they went on to punch their way to an impressive 13 medals from the 17 boxers Uganda fielded.

Light welterweight Vanessa Nagawa, bantamweight Samuel Nsubuga, featherweight Kasim Murungi and middleweight Alfred 'Gorilla' Ojok led the Bombers' charge by winning gold each.

But his final against Egypt's Mohamed Hossen was marred by yet another disqualification after Ringo punched his opponent with a wild punch after the final bell.

The incident marked Ringo's second disqualification in a matter of months, following a similar setback during the 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Games against England's Damar Thomas.

Uganda's bronze medallists included super heavyweight Emmanuel Tabule, cruiserweight Arafat Kibirige, light heavyweight Richard Kasujja, light flyweight Rashida Naluwooza, flyweight Brenda Muduwa, featherweight Peninah Amoding, welterweight Erina Namutebi and heavyweight Diana Atwine.

It was such an impressive medal haul that propelled Uganda to finish third overall, only behind hosts Kenya and Algeria, who tied on five gold medals apiece.

Nagawa, Coach Lora Make History

While the entire team deserves credit, light welterweight Vanessa Nagawa and head coach Lawrence Kalyango deserve more flowers.

Her triumph represented a landmark moment for women's boxing in the country and demonstrated the growing competitiveness of Uganda's female boxers at the continental stage.

The light welterweight also delivered Uganda's first gold medal in Kenya, ending a nine-year jinx for the country to return to the top of the podium at the Africa Boxing Championship.

Welterweight Muzamir 'Real King Kong' Kakande was Uganda's last gold medallist at the 2017 Brazzaville tournament.

Interestingly, Bombers' gaffer Coach Lora was part of the technical team that guided the team to success at the 2017 Brazzaville Championship.

His 13 medals in Kenya have strengthened his credentials as one of the country's most successful coaches in recent international assignments.

The COBAP boxing club head coach guided the Bombers to an impressive showing at the 2025 Zone 3 Africa Boxing Championship, where 15 of the 16 Ugandan boxers reached the medal bracket.

"I'm so excited about our performance in Kenya. It was really a collective effort with my back-up staff and the team. Lastly, I commend UBF for trusting me and the National Council of Sports (NCS) for the financial assistance rendered to us," Kalyango told Vision Sport.