Ugandan boxer Joseph Kiwanuka dies at 54

The boxing fraternity in Uganda and the United States is mourning the death of professional boxer Joseph Kiwanuka, popularly known as the "African Express," who passed away on Wednesday evening at his family home in Kyengera, a suburb in Wakiso District.

Family sources said Kiwanuka, who had returned to Uganda about six years ago after living in the United States since 1992, died of multiple organ failure at a private health facility in Nsangi, Wakiso District.

The family also confirmed that burial arrangements are underway, with the fallen boxer expected to be laid to rest at his ancestral home in Jjuungo, Kalangala District, on Friday afternoon.

Born on May 10, 1971, Kiwanuka was among Uganda's strongest boxers during his prime. He joined the national boxing team, the Bombers, as a bantamweight before gradually moving up through the weight divisions.

During his amateur career, he fought against several notable Ugandan boxers, including Godfrey Nyakana, Vincent Byaruhanga, and Charles Lubulwa, before earning a professional stint in Germany and later relocating to Las Vegas, Nevada, in 1992.

According to Emmanuel Mwesigwa, who trained alongside him at Kampala Boxing Club (KBC), Kiwanuka was one of the most talented and powerful punchers of his generation.

"We boxed and sparred together at Kampala Boxing Club, which is why the members came to assist during his critical illness. He preferred rope-skipping to running before sparring sessions and was one of the most talented and strongest punchers of the time," Mwesigwa recalled.

In the United States, the orthodox fighter trained at the renowned Top Rank Gym and fought under the promotional banner of Top Rank in Las Vegas. He was also aligned with the North American Boxing Federation (NABF), where he held the super middleweight title.

Kiwanuka compiled a professional boxing record of 28 wins, 7 losses, and 2 draws (28-7-2), with 21 victories coming by knockout, a record that earned him the nickname "African Express" because of his ability to dispatch opponents quickly.

Standing 6'2" tall with an 82-inch reach, Kiwanuka was a formidable and feared pugilist who consistently ranked among the top fighters in his division in the United States. Fighting mainly in the super middleweight and light-heavyweight divisions, he built a reputation as a dangerous knockout artist before suffering career-ending eye injuries, including traumatic cataracts.

Among the notable opponents he faced were Glen Johnson, Segundo Mercado, and Antoine Byrd. His biggest fights came in the late 1990s and early 2000s, including a move to the light-heavyweight division where he pursued a world title shot before injuries cut short his career. Kiwanuka was widely known for his powerful punching ability and his "beautiful" jab, while also training with renowned coaches such as Emmanuel Steward.

Reports indicate that after retirement, Kiwanuka faced difficult times in Las Vegas, battling vision problems caused by traumatic cataracts and at one point experiencing homelessness, according to a 2007 report by the Las Vegas Sun. The hardships reportedly contributed to his return to Uganda.