Hassan Ssentongo flexes his way to maiden Mr Central title
Ssentongo, a paint dealer based in Buloba along Mityana Road, took home sh2 million, a trophy and a medal for the victory.
Top performers of the 2026 Mr Central region in bodybuilding pose with trophies at Sharing Hall after the Central Region championships on November 7, 2026. From left is; Joseph Kinobe (lightweight), Hassan Ssentongo (overall winner) , Abdul Musana (bronze winner) and Rickie Muyanja, who finished second, Nov 7 2026. (Photos by Silvano Kibuuka)
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Hassan Ssentongo ended a four-year wait for his first Mr Central bodybuilding title, beating three rivals in the overall final at the 2026 championship.
The bodybuilder, who trains at Ndeba-based ISK Gym and resident of Nkowe, Wakiso, first emerged from a field of 10 competitors to win the welterweight category before advancing to the overall contest.
He then beat Rickie Musana, Abdul Musana and Joseph Kinobe, who finished second, third and fourth, respectively.
Ssentongo, a paint dealer based in Buloba along Mityana Road, took home sh2 million, a trophy and a medal for the victory.
“Despite skipping some years, I have won my category four times and competed in the final but never won. I have always qualified for the Mr Kampala final, and now I have a reason to target the top accolade in bodybuilding in the country,” Ssentongo said after the awards ceremony.
He also credited 2025 Mr Kampala winner Hussein Mbajja for supporting him, despite Mbajja's absence from the championship.
Women who won in the Central Region bodybuilding Championships at Nsambya Sharing Hall, November 7, 2026. On the left is Shamila Mukyala, who won in the Bikini fashion; Shamila Dafala, who won in overall wellness and figure; and Patricia Nakafeero.
Held at the Nsambya Sharing Youth Centre on November 7, 2026, at least 80 athletes competed in the championship, which also featured contests in the men's and women's categories.
Joseph Kinone won the men's Classic Physique title, while Shamila Mukyala took the women's Bikini crown. Gift Dafala of A and S Gym in Kyanja won the overall Women's Wellness title, and Patricia Nakafeero of HAMZ Gym claimed the overall Women's Figure accolade.
The Central Region contest was the last of the four regional qualifiers, following championships in the Northern, Western and Eastern regions.
“The Central Region was the last regional qualifier following the Northern, Western, and Eastern championships. The Uganda Bodybuilding and Fitness Association (UBFA) is now looking at staging the 2026 Mr Uganda Championship, where all regional category winners will compete for the national title,” noted UBFA member Denis Kisakye.
Arafat Ntare, Jaffar Ssemakula and Majid Isabirye won the overall titles at the 2026 regional championships in the Western, Northern and Eastern regions, respectively.