Ssenyange Jr confident in Uganda’s WBC-Africa title ambitions
Middleweight Isaac Zebra Ssenyange Jr. (left) posing for a photo with American legendary World champion Terrence Crawford (right) who was on his second visit in Uganda recently. (Credit: Fred Kisekka)
NewVision Reporter
@NewVision
WBC-Africa Amateur Championship
February 6-8, Lagos, Nigeria
Middleweight Isaac Zebra Ssenyange Jr has expressed confidence in leading Uganda’s boxing team to victory at the inaugural World Boxing Council (WBC)-Africa Amateur Championship.
The highly anticipated event, set to take place from February 6-8, 2025, at the Molade Okoya Indoor Stadium in Lagos, is organised by Yucateco Promotions—marking the first time the championship will be hosted on African soil.
Eight African nations, including Uganda, Nigeria (hosts), Kenya, Ghana, Senegal, Cameroon, Mali, and Togo, will battle for top honours. The highest finishers will secure a coveted spot at the 2026 WBC World Championship in Mexico.
Team captain Ssenyange Jr, a two-time Africa Boxing Championship quarterfinalist (2022, 2023) and competitor at the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games, is Uganda’s biggest hope in the ring, banking on his experience to propel the team to success.
He will be joined by a formidable squad featuring welterweight powerhouse Nuhu Batte, electrifying flyweight Moses Kimera, bantamweight Benon Balyegesa, lightweight Shakur Mugambe, and light welterweight Dennis Muleme, son of Uganda’s national boxing coach, Lawrence Kalyango.
Flyweight Brenda Muduwa (left) and featherweight Fatumah Nabikolo (right are part of the Uganda boxing team at the WBC-Amateur Championship in Lagos. (Credit: Fred Kisekka)
The women’s team comprises flyweight Brendah Muduwa and bantamweight Fatumah Nabikolo, a 2024 Mandela Boxing Championship bronze medallist.
Under the guidance of head coach Meddie Hassan Mulandi and his assistant Hamzah Ssebyala, Uganda’s squad is determined to make an impact.
With four professional fights under his belt, including three knockouts, Ssenyange Jr believes their rigorous training has prepared them for success.
“We have got a solid team that is capable of defeating all our opponents. We have had a length time of intense training, so we are ready to go,” Ssenyange told Vision Sport.
Moureen Mulangira, Uganda’s head of delegation in Lagos and the Africa Boxing Union (ABU) General Secretary, who also serves as the Uganda Professional Boxing Commission (UPBC) treasurer, is equally optimistic about the team’s chances.
“Our primary goal is to make sure we qualify for the World Championship in Mexico. Count on us because we have a fully fit talented squad,” Mulangira noted.