Matovu, Kiwanuka headline Roots Fight Night
The four Ugandan pugilists headline a star-studded event dubbed "Roots Fight Night," scheduled for Saturday, May 2, 2026, at the MTN Arena.
Black Bomber Herbert Matovu headlines Ugandan boxer on the Roots Fight Night boxing event slated for this Saturday at MTN Arena in Lugogo. Photo by Fred Kisekka
Roots Fight Night
Saturday, May 2, MTN Arena, LugogoMatovu, Kiwanuka Headline Roots Fight Night at MTN Arena
S. Kiwanuka (UGA) v Y. Manda (DRC)
H. Matovu (UGA) v S. Tchetha (KEN).
S. Tibesigwa (UGA) v. S. Hamisi (TAN).
S. Mugambe (UGA) v C. Tetteh (GHA)
Ugandan boxers Herbert "The Black Bomber" Matovu, Shafic "Killing Machine" Kiwanuka, Salimat Tibesigwa, and Shakur Mugambe have vowed to deliver dominant performances as they face their African rivals in a highly anticipated boxing showcase this Saturday.
The four Ugandan pugilists headline a star-studded event dubbed "Roots Fight Night," scheduled for Saturday, May 2, 2026, at the MTN Arena.
Budding heavyweight star "Black Bomber" Matovu, whose recent performances have electrified local boxing fans, takes on Kenya's Simon Tchetha in an eight-round contest. Matovu makes his ring return after clinching the East and Central Africa Boxing Union (ABU) heavyweight title in 2024, followed by a stunning fifth-round knockout victory over Japan's Mitsuro Brandon Tajima in Tokyo last year.
The towering knockout artist, who boasts a 10-9-0 record with eight knockouts, has been sharpening his knuckles at Hamz Fitness Gym in Nakivubo under coach Ismail Ssemakula. He promises to make another statement.
"I'm only waiting for the bell to serve my fans a buffet they have been missing for a while," Matovu told Vision. "I can assure you, I'm going to send this Kenyan to rest in eternal peace."
The main card will see Shafic Kiwanuka square off against DR Congo's Yannick Katuta Manda in another highly anticipated eight-round heavyweight thriller. The former Universal Boxing Council (UBC) Inter-Continental and World Boxing Federation (WBF) Africa heavyweight champion plans to end his 1,394-day sabbatical without fighting at home with an emphatic victory.
"I have missed fighting in front of my home crowd, but thank God the wait is finally over," Kiwanuka said. "Manda is going to have his worst day on Earth. I'm going to swallow him alive."
The event, organised by Nana Promotions, promises a full night of action-packed boxing, with 15 bouts on the menu.
Notable undercard thrillers will see Jinja-based rookie Salimat "The Green Mamba" Tibesigwa battle Tanzania's Sophia Hamisi in an eight-round super featherweight contest.
Electric Shakur Mugambe takes on Ghana's Charles Narh Tetteh in a six-round lightweight contest, while Uganda boxing team captain and featherweight Kassim Murungi makes his professional debut against Sowali Ssentongo.