Rayan Kayongo wins 2023 Mr. Uganda bodybuilding crown

The saying father like son fits Rayan Kayongo, the newly crowned Mr. Uganda bodybuilding champion.

Kayongo, a son to former Mr. Uganda bodybuilding champion, John Bosco Ssebabi and Noor Namukasa of Kyengera, became the second Mr. Uganda in the Ssebabi family having clinched the 2023 gong.

In what looked to be a mouthwatering final, light heavyweight Kayongo beat five other contestants to emerge the winner.

The event which was held at Buziga Country Resort in Makindye Municipality attracted more than 50 contestants.

But the headline of the day came when Kayongo out-muscled his competitors to repeat what his dad, the then welterweight Ssebabi did in 2006 at an event at Nakivubo stadium.

Kayongo flexed his muscles to clinch the crown in a fascinating style.

The Nalukolongo Power House Gym muscle man then vowed his readiness to walk into Ivan Byekwao’s footsteps to dominate the sport for years to come.

“I thank God for this because It wasn’t an easy ride to win this championship. The truth is all my competitors were equally good. The only difference is I bettered them,” Kayongo, a resident of Kyengera-Mugongo in Wakiso district, told Vision Sports.

“I’m here to stay. My focus is now to dominate bodybuilding for years to come like how Ivan Byekwaso did. Then I will switch to competing at the global championships like the World Cup and Mr. Universe.”

He was followed by welterweight Hussein Mbajja who finished second with lightweight Axam Kisekka coming into third to complete the podium.

Bantamweight Pharooq Miyagi came fourth as heavyweight Ronald Okwera and middleweight Fahad Ssetimba finished fifth and sixth respectively.

Besides bodybuilding that he ventured into in 2013 plus being a gym instructor at Paradise City Fitness Gym at Acacia Mall in Kololo, Kampala, Kayongo works as a night security guard at a car park in Kyengera.

He walked away with sh500,000 received as prize money courtesy of Roman empire supplements as second-placed Mbajja and third-placed Kisekka pocketed sh300,000/= and 200,000/= respectively.

Defending champion Godfrey Lubega failed to compete in this year’s Mr Uganda as the championship came at a time he is preparing for the Mr. Strong Man natural bodybuilding championship in India come February 2024.

Maj. Gen. Elly Kayanja who was chief guest at the championship rallied the Government for more funding for bodybuilding.

“Bodybuilding is one of those sports disciplines that have managed to put our country on the world stage. I urge the Government and those concerned to improve on how these people are funded”