Maama Champion: The woman behind Joshua Mwenda's rise to boxing glory

In recognising the vital role mothers play in shaping sports stars, New Vision continues to celebrate the women behind the success stories.

Today, we turn the spotlight on Scovia Afochan, the mother of Uganda’s amateur boxing sensation, Joshua Mwenda.

Afochan, who works as an attendant at a small food joint, has been the guiding light in her son’s journey, standing firm through hardship, doubt, and sacrifice. Her story is one of resilience, faith, and unwavering love.

Few can fully understand the pain of a mother watching her child drop out of school. For Afochan, that moment came when Mwenda left school in Primary Six, not because he lacked the ability to learn, but because there was no money to pay fees.

“My son dropped out of school due to a lack of money. It was painful; I had no help. I feared he might never become anything,” she recalls. “All I could do was pray for him and keep encouraging him. Today, I am grateful he has become someone the country celebrates.”

After leaving school, Mwenda briefly turned to football, but the costs proved too high for his mother to sustain. At just 10 years old, he found his way into boxing, a decision that would change both their lives.

“At first, I was not comfortable with boxing,” Afochan admits. “But coach Herbert Kalungi of Sparks Boxing Academy assured me he would take care of him, and he did. I began to see discipline and focus in my son, and I gave him my full support.”

That support has since borne fruit. Mwenda rose through the ranks to win gold for Uganda at the 2025 Africa Youth Boxing Championship in Guinea Conakry, marking a major milestone in his young career.

Today, Afochan is fondly known as “Maama Champion,” a name she carries with pride.

“I have become known because of my son. People call me Maama Champion, and it makes me feel proud and excited,” she says with a smile.

Despite the recognition, Afochan remains grounded. A mother of three, she credits faith, her son’s determination, and the guidance of his coach for Mwenda’s success.

“I cannot take all the credit. I thank God for His mercy. My son had a dream, and I chose to support it instead of standing in his way. Coach Kalungi has also played a fatherly role.”

Mwenda, in turn, holds deep gratitude for his mother, whom he describes as his pillar.

“My mother is my everything. Our father left when I was eight, and she has taken care of us ever since. She has shared the little she has to make me who I am today. I don’t take that for granted. My dream is to succeed and make her proud.”

A constant presence in his journey, Afochan rarely misses his fights, drawing joy and strength from watching her son in the ring.

“I never miss his matches. Seeing him fight gives me so much joy,” she says.

Now, her dream is simple but powerful: to see Mwenda rise to the pinnacle of boxing as a world champion and one of the most celebrated athletes globally.

Afochan sends a message to her fellow mothers: believe in your children and support their dreams.